First, the church isn't the Church. In other words 99.9% of what everyone identifies as the Christian church small “c”–denominations, buildings, programs, events, music, Bibles, missions, institutions, etc.–is not the church. Those things are like a dead carcass that encases something living…people. People are the true Church (big “C”). And the Church really is just another term for the Body of Christ. You know that. But here's where it get's weird and wacky and wonderful. Jesus has come, is coming now and will yet come and reveal Himself in His Body. I know, strange. See, the first time Jesus came the Jews were looking for a king to save them. They missed him. Guess what? That's what Christians are looking for in his return–a king to save them. Throw out those felt board images of Jesus coming back on a white horse riding in the clouds to yank out Christians and leave others behind. I had to. I even had to toss the concept that I was going to get some house in heaven (suburbs maybe?). Nope, a call is going out as I type. Jesus is looking for a people He can inhabit and be in union with. Those folks (a remnant) are going to destroy the works of Satan forever (think war, evil, injustice, poverty, whatever) and even death itself. The good news is everyone will benefit. So, your thought about influence coming through individuals connected to Christ is right on track. Only those folks won't just be connected to Him, they will be one with Him…a visible new creation, a first fruits.

Ok, now how does this relate to this post and design?

Well, almost all design that is thought of as “Christian” is merely religious. Think of the coolest mission's poster or neatest Christian ad campaign or maybe a culturally relevant Gen-xyz designed bible that “speaks” to youth in a cool way. Well intentioned, but it only supports something that has no life (that dead carcass). And trust me, the most mind blowing design isn't going to resurrect that church carcass. It's meant to be dead forever. But that's what we keep trying to do in applying our design “powers” to resuscitate (substitute the word grow or market or expand if you like) the church.

Now on to point #5. I want to say that in this area, I only have a faint glimpse of what is to come. I'm not real sure, but I think we'll design something and it will touch many people hearts at a level where they clearly see that those united with Jesus are “clothed,” and they are “naked.” I don't know how that will work itself out.

Ok. If you've managed to hang with me this long, you're either avoiding a pressing project, having creative block or are mildly amused. Thanks for bearing with me.

And Dani, I appreciate your sharing. Your always welcome here. I've found the same in my approach.

A friend who is a designer asked me a question about this post that I thought was interesting. He said that it was a bit too vague and asked, “So you just see it and it is so?”

I guess I see it (not with physical eyes) and believe it because it *is* so. When you have a concept for a design or work of art or music in your head, to you who can see it, it is real. Then comes the working it out and making it visible. Some of Sagmeister’s works are glimpses of what is coming, only it will be at a whole different level. We’ll no longer be singing to the deaf in design, they will actually “hear” us loud and clear and be drawn to the Life in that design. Don’t know if that makes any more sense.

First, the church isn’t the Church. In other words 99.9% of what everyone identifies as the Christian church small “c”–denominations, buildings, programs, events, music, Bibles, missions, institutions, etc.–is not the church. Those things are like a dead carcass that encases something living…people. People are the true Church (big “C”). And the Church really is just another term for the Body of Christ. You know that. But here’s where it get’s weird and wacky and wonderful. Jesus has come, is coming now and will yet come and reveal Himself in His Body. I know, strange. See, the first time Jesus came the Jews were looking for a king to save them. They missed him. Guess what? That’s what Christians are looking for in his return–a king to save them. Throw out those felt board images of Jesus coming back on a white horse riding in the clouds to yank out Christians and leave others behind. I had to. I even had to toss the concept that I was going to get some house in heaven (suburbs maybe?). Nope, a call is going out as I type. Jesus is looking for a people He can inhabit and be in union with. Those folks (a remnant) are going to destroy the works of Satan forever (think war, evil, injustice, poverty, whatever) and even death itself. The good news is everyone will benefit. So, your thought about influence coming through individuals connected to Christ is right on track. Only those folks won’t just be connected to Him, they will be one with Him…a visible new creation, a first fruits.

Ok, now how does this relate to this post and design?

Well, almost all design that is thought of as “Christian” is merely religious. Think of the coolest mission’s poster or neatest Christian ad campaign or maybe a culturally relevant Gen-xyz designed bible that “speaks” to youth in a cool way. Well intentioned, but it only supports something that has no life (that dead carcass). And trust me, the most mind blowing design isn’t going to resurrect that church carcass. It’s meant to be dead forever. But that’s what we keep trying to do in applying our design “powers” to resuscitate (substitute the word grow or market or expand if you like) the church.

Now on to point #5. I want to say that in this area, I only have a faint glimpse of what is to come. I’m not real sure, but I think we’ll design something and it will touch many people hearts at a level where they clearly see that those united with Jesus are “clothed,” and they are “naked.” I don’t know how that will work itself out.

Ok. If you’ve managed to hang with me this long, you’re either avoiding a pressing project, having creative block or are mildly amused. Thanks for bearing with me.

And Dani, I appreciate your sharing. Your always welcome here. I’ve found the same in my approach.

Could it be said that you believe people are disenchanted with churches and parachurch organizations on the whole and so the influence of Christ is going to come through individual people that are still connected to Christ?

Maybe that the universal “Church” or body of Christ as individuals will become more influential than “churches”?

I could be off, but I’m just trying to see your point.

Do you think you could be a little more specific on point 5 or is that something you kinda see off in the distance?

Thanks for being transparent Frank.

Dailey