Thursday, May 27, 2010

What Churches could learn from Disney

This past week my family and I spent four "magical" days in the "happiest place on earth." As I took in all the sights and sounds of Walt Disney's creative masterpiece, I started to feel convicted. I realized that Disney World is actually doing a better job of carrying out certain aspects of the Church's G0d-given mission than most churches. Here were my takeaways. Most churches would do well to learn these lessons from Disney:

1.VALUE KIDS. Disney elevates the value of children to the highest levels, and while Jesus raised the value of children more than any person ever (including Walt Disney) most churches see kids as a burden and not as a gift.

2. VALUE CREATIVITY. God is the most creative force in the universe and His Body (the Church) should be the most creative force on earth. There was a time when churches were shaping the creative aspects of culture. Now, most churches are content to sit back and critique culture while not adding anything. Creativity is seen as an enemy of tradition, so most churches choose to worship their tradition in sterile facilities instead of taking risks and creating new things.

3. VALUE EXCELLENCE. Every detail at Disney is executed with excellence. In most churches, we put forth a half-hearted effort and expect God to bless it. Excellence honors God and inspires people.

4. VALUE CHANGE. Disney is always looking to the future while building on their past. Most church are attempting to recreate the past while hiding from the future. Churches should be constantly innovating and changing their methods in how they communicate the unchanging message.

5. VALUE DIVERSITY. God's Kingdom is made up of people from all nations, races and backgrounds; so is Disney World. Most churches are made up of people who act, look and talk alike. We need to value and work to achieve church demographics the represent our communities' demographics.

6. SMILE. If Disney World is the "Happiest Place on Earth" then our churches should be the "Most Joyful Places on Earth". Happiness is based on outward circumstances, but we have the joy of the LORD which nobody can take away. The tragedy is that most churches are filled with people who don't seem to have any joy at all. Maybe this is one of the many reasons why an unbelieving world feels so much more comfortable at Disney World than they do at Church.

63 comments:

Josh (Click2Grow.com) said...

Great thoughts Dave. Love your insight and how you make everything relevant to today.

Wade said...

Great insight Dave.

Michael Dalisay said...

so true... unfortunately so many churches are still missing (or ignoring) these points. i once visited a church in RI, and asked if i could join the praise team. they said ok, but i would have to wear a suit and a tie to join. needless to say, i never came back.

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Ali said...

Hey Dave...and fam! Mike and I spent our honeymoon at Disney and said much of the same thing. Even this year we saw Mary Poppins at the Fox and were blown away by the creativity and the excellence! Hope all is well with y'all!!!

jesse said...

Wow, it's a pity that such an insightful post would be bombarded by so much crap and spam

"VALUE EXCELLENCE" - That's an important one. I'm sick of going to church functions that seem just so dumpy and unorganized. They claim that they are worrying about more important spiritual things, but as the body of Christ, I think we should be give 100% effort in every aspect of our ministries and our lives.

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Karen Whittal said...

Hi came across you blog by accident, really inspirational, and insightful, we can really see God's lessons all around us if we just take the time to stop and look.

Daddy said...

Thank you for an affirming post!

I, too, value quality. I often pose the question: "Is this 'the best for the highest', or 'anything for Jesus'?"

All the best.

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Step-parent's Cove said...

Dear Mr. Willis: I stumbled across your blog by divine providence. I am a devoted mother, wife, friend, and family member. I have a heavy burden on my back because of my marriage. I can't seem to understand why people feel they must be private and public enemies after divorce. My husband's ex wife said some really mean and untruthful things that could have made us loose our freedom. For the safety of my children we had to end all relationships with my husbands children. It made me so sad on the inside. Now, his children are nearly grown with the exception of one, and each of them from their internet actions struggle with living a productive life. We stay in the background and follow them, but my heart breaks in pieces when we read their distressing notes. Lately, I have made it a point not to even read their sites because of their emotional state, but gosh I feel bad. My husband seems to have taken it better, and show less stress of it all, but I wonder how this will hurt him in his golden years when some parents need the help of their children. I guess what I am asking is for prayer that God show me us how to handle this matter.

I found your page very refreshing. I guess you can view Disney World as a para-church.

alex said...

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Nicole said...

Great comparison. I can rleate a lot to this as well. When I first started attending my church two years ago it was so joyful and happy like we are all one big family of God. Sadly, many people now seem to be turning on one another.

After reading these "Disney" tips I am going to put my heart into helping rebuild my church family and help us give our best to the Lord <3

The Thinking Christian Woman said...

You really nailed it! As an annual passholder to Disneyland here in California, I'm constantly on the alert for faith lessons to be learned from Disney. This post was outstanding in that regard. Thanks much!

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AP said...

Isn't it nice yet presumptious to assume God's kingdom is made of everybody, regardless of race, colour and creed?

Janet Martin said...

I stumbled upon your blog and am glad I did. Enjoyed reading solid bible-based views. You have a beautiful family.
God bless and Happy Father's Day.

Claire said...

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His Hand Maid said...

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. As much I agree with you that we need to value our children, make our churches to be the friendliest place on earth; the problem is that we(the church) is being run like Disney World. We can't have the church be an entertainment center. We have produced a bunch of church goers who do not know the WORD or their LORD. They are there just to be amused. Our children do not want to come to church unless we have the latest gadgets. We need the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to give us the Word that will change the heart of man. Or we will be just another DW. With out the Spirit.

August Thurmer said...

Dave, these thoughts that you express are very sobering indeed. My family goes to Disney World once or twice a year and we are from Minnesota. What you say is so true. Thank you for your candidness regarding your thoughts on this, I need to look at my place in the church now as well. Once again, thank you! August Thurmer

Nichole said...

Hello, my name is Nichole. I live in Arkansas and my husband surrendered to the ministry last year. this is my first visit to your blog and I am really hoping to learn a lot from you. It has been hard on the both of us adjusting to the "non-secular" life and the expectations that come with it. I set up my blog a couple weeks ago as a way to hash out some of the issues I am having with becoming a preacher's wife and church problems and also just a way for me to think through my study time. Thank you for what you do!

Meghan said...

Just happened upon your blog, and grateful to read your insights! Thank you! I feel so blessed to belong to a Church that values, applies, and takes seriously everything you mentioned! Just another conformation to me that I belong to the right Church and that I should share that blessing with others!
Have a look: www.mormon.org

Thanks Dave! God bless you and your beautiful family~

Unknown said...

Dave, this is an AMAZING piece! Have you ever gotten any of your work published or considered other mediums to spread your positive message? I think you may have something here.

I've always loved analogies and parables to teach powerful lessons.. But they have to be done right. Some folks use it as a gimmick but you really drove home your points here, bud!

Like I said earlier at The Creek, I plan to speak to your message on one of my other blogs. I really hope you start blogging more often.

BTW, fun fact: out of over 1M hits on Google for "Dave Willis blog", you are #1. That's pretty darn cool.. You're a rock star, Dave, and you don't even know it! =o]

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libertyadamson said...

I have worked for several businesses who use 'Disney Principles' as part of their customer service thrust. Disney has a division that provides direct training to businesses that buy into their program. I agree that their principles are valid and would be well used by churches.

My only surprise at your post is that children in churches are often seen as a burden. I haven't had that experience in any of the churches (many!) I've attended, thankfully! But I agree that we not only need to celebrate our kids, but develop programs that 'pass the mantle' of our faith onto future generations. Thanks for a thought-provoking post. Blessings to you and yours! Beth

Travis Long said...

this was incredibly written...thank you for this!

Jack deJarnette said...

Dave,
I have just found a new source of inspiration, it is you my dear Christ brother. Thanks for sharing your insights.

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Anonymous said...

well said. God bless you so much for bringing up this topic

sarah G said...

nice topic i like that though im a muslim but i find the idea very clever

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Tatarize said...

"God's Kingdom is made up of people from all nations, races and backgrounds; so is Disney World."

But not religions. Other religions burn forever in pain and torture. You could be as good as Gandhi and you'd still fry, apparently because god needs to be propped up with the strongest threats one can muster.

Anonymous said...

You forgot one category: DANCE!

Katyayani said...

nice blog dave! really enlightening...

Unknown said...

This is so very true and should work on giving God our very best and be Creative for we belong to the CREATOR; and all that HE created is magnificent.
I enjoyed your blog pastor.

oldcowhand said...

You are way off base.
1.Everyone values their own kids above all else but children have no more intrinsic value than adults.
2.Creativity is seen as an enemy of tradition---Tradition is what binds us together. Creativity is not some Nirvana.
3.Every detail at Disney is executed with excellence.--I doubt it. Disney is a profit motivated corp. How are churches not motivated to be excellent?
4.VALUE DIVERSITY--This is absolute nonsense. Diversity is our weakness not our strength. This is sociology 101, in spite of efforts by many in the media and elsewhere to convince us otherwise.
A society that shares common beliefs, values, and traditions is stronger.
5.VALUE CHANGE--Why? If it works don't fix it.

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