In 1996, DVD's and Netflix were brand new. If you wanted to rent a VHS a consumer would have to rent one from Blockbuster. Netflix functioned as a site where consumers could purchase "DVD's. In 1996, DVD's were relatively unheard of and there were only DVD's for 300 movie titles. Netflix was receiving 95% of their revenue from selling DVD's. In 1996 the CEO's of Netflix made a strategic move to no longer focus on "selling" DVD's but moved to a simple online streaming model. A model where consumers could stream online from the comfort of their homes. Netflix developed complex algorithms to customize the homepage of every consumer to highlight their favorite movies, or movies which they would like based on their preferences. The CEO's of Blockbuster in 1996 heard what Netflix was doing and believing that online streaming of movies would never take off chose instead to invest in more stand-alone stores and began to offer candy and popcorn to be purchased at the counter before check-out. While Netflix simplified their business model, Blockbuster made their's more complex. The results of both decisions are evident today. Netflix is a thriving company and Blockbuster filed for bankruptcy in 2010.
There is a lot to be learned concerning Netflix and Blockbuster. There are a lot of lessons and warnings which we as the church should heed. Christians; especially, Christian leaders must understand the times in which we live.
For centuries, our model for ministry has been: the church is the center of society, people trust the church, therefore the church should host a large event, invite people to the church for the best event EVER, people come, hear the Gospel, become Christians and join the church. This is how the church has operated for centuries.
Unfortunately, the above scenario is no longer the case in our culture. The church is viewed with suspicion. Individuals do not have a respect for the church, the church is no longer viewed as the center of society; therefore, individuals do not want to attend events at a church. Because of this we (the church) need to go to society. We as the church need to wake up to our call to be a community in the community, the streets, and in the gutter with people. We need to be engaging people where they are, simplifying our programs, customizing our message to answer societies questions, and ministering to non-Christians on their turf.
Here is a video explaining what I mean:
If you are watching from a phone here is the link: The Missional Church
The church is losing the next generation and our communities. We have two options to this problem. We may go the way of Blockbuster (and so many churches) and increase programs, marketing budgets, and events or we may go the way of Netflix and 100% change the way we "do" church. We can simplify programs, and spend more time empowering and equipping believers to live as the church on mission in their community, work and school. We can begin to teach our church members that all of life is to be lived all for Christ and Christ has a mission for them to fulfill among their circles of influence. Below is another video highlighting a church which is seeking to live on mission in their community.
If you are watching from a phone here is the link: Dope Church
In conclusion, the churches which follow in the footsteps of Netflix changing and adapting to a new generation will thrive while churches which put their head in the sand continuing to do the same old thing and run the same old programs will follow in the footsteps of Blockbuster and will go bankrupt. Whose philosophy will you choose to follow Blockbusters of Netflixs?
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