Apple and Church

Today the world is remembering Steve Jobs, founder of Apple. He past away yesterday at the age of 56. You might argue that the last decade was owned by Apple. There may not have been a person or company who impacted our culture more than Steve Jobs and Apple. From iPods to iPads to Mac books to iTunes, Apple has been a cultural phenomenon.

Last night as I read quotes from Steve Jobs and reflected upon his legacy, I began to think about how much the church could learn from Apple. Here are some examples:

1. Keep it simple. If I had to say what separated Apple from its competitors in one word it would be simple. Look at the iPod: simple look and simple functionality. Pair that with access of iTunes and you have a hit product. I remember my frustrations with my first mp3 player, dealing with various file formats and searching for places to get my music. Then I got my first iPod and the choirs started singing. It was easy and it worked well.Read this Steve Jobs quote: "That's been one of my mantras -- focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains."

In my church I have been advocating simplicity. The church has a history of complicating things and complicating faith. It doesn't have to be. Jesus advocated simplicity in Matt. 22:37-40: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and  with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Love God and love your neighbor; pretty simple, huh?

2. Quit worrying about the numbers and get focused on what really matters. Read this quote from Steve Jobs: "We've never worried about numbers. In the market place, Apple is trying to focus the spotlight on products, because products really make a difference. [...] Ad campaigns are necessary for competition; IBM's ads are everywhere. But good PR educates people; that's all it is. You can't con people in this business. The products speak for themselves."

Yes, I know we need to pay attention to certain statistics in the church. but what about really focusing on making disciples, growing in loving God and our neighbor? The church's "product" is Jesus. He is the one that makes a difference.

3. Remember what's really important. Read this quote: "Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. ... Stay hungry. Stay foolish."

Need I say more?

4. Take the message to the people. Read this quote: "It's really hard to design products by focus groups. A lot of times, people don't know what they want until you show it to them."

People today often don't even realize that they need Christ in their lives. And, they likely aren't coming to our churches to shop for something they don't know that they need or want. We have to take Christ to the people. We have to mobilize and be outwardly focused. We have to quit separating our "faith life" from our "regular life." We need to be living it every day and everywhere. people need to see Christ in us and the difference He makes.

I'm sure there are many more correlations that could be made. This is enough for now. Its time for me to get about the work that God is calling me to. That, and back to saving up for that iPad that I really, really want.

Chris