<- Still reading? | Main | Tomacco Becomes A Reality! ->
November 4, 2003
Blessed are the Simpsons
While I know there out there, it's good to see that there are some ministries that making news by being relevant with their message.
Chaplain's Bible study a big hit
Most people would not associate the somewhat irreverent nature of the long-running sitcom, “The Simpsons,” with church.
However, Chaplain (Maj.) Steve Schaick, 39th Air Base Group senior Protestant chaplain here, is not most people.
"I was leading a youth ministry at Eaker Air Force Base, Ark., on Sunday nights," Schaick said. "No one came because 'The Simpsons' was on. I started to hate the show because I heard the content was questionable and because it was keeping kids away from church."
Curious about the magnetic effect the show was having, Schaick decided to tune in and watch a few episodes.
"I saw a very clear spiritual thread weaving throughout many of the shows," he said. "I began to wonder if maybe, just maybe, 'The Simpsons' was an untapped resource for the church. I decided it would be fun to do a Bible study using the show as a launching point for Biblical discussion."
His efforts proved to be a resounding success. He moved to the Air Force Academy and began a standing-room-only Bible study for cadets, who were curious about the connection between the humorous sitcom and God.
"It was interesting to see how a show like 'The Simpsons' had a moral message,” said Master Sgt. Susan Northcutt, superintendent of the base’s manpower and organization office, who attended the study last spring. "I had never seen the show before, but the study made me curious. The chaplain showed there are lessons in morality everywhere."
Indeed there are. I've used clips of movies for a number of youth talks that I've given and it's a very effective way to present a message. It gives the listener a reason to tune in, and gives you credibility in their world.
What I found surprising is that this is news. I thought that books like The Gospel According to The Simpsons were well known and not all that new.
Perhaps not since there's more stories like the one above.
In The Beginning Was the Word, and The Word was DOH!
Homer recruited to pack church pews
A MINISTER is using the exploits of beerguzzling, doughnutchewing, Homer Simpson to help attract more people to church.
The Rev George Cowie is hoping to have his congregation laughing in the aisles as he reads the gospel according to cult cartoon family The Simpsons to help get his religious message across.
Posted by Jesse at November 4, 2003 2:46 PM
Comments
I seem to recall that a cover story in Christianity Today a year or two ago discussed spiritual themes in The Simpsons.
Posted by: Tim at November 5, 2003 11:04 PM
Comments are now closed for this entry.