The Nooma Effect

 

Okay, I wasn't going to say anything, but it's getting out of hand... Church media departments everywhere have been plagued with what I am calling "The Nooma Effect." This is where the pastor is videotaped talking to the camera in somber tones at an off-beat location while soulful music underlays his words. The shots are occasionally interspersed with moody images of the pastor standing there, looking off in the distance, even though the subject painfully does not deserve such serious treatment. Let's pray it passes quickly. 

nooma shoots

Comments

[Dan]

I've seen some of these faux noomas- they're just brutal.

[barton Damer]

HA! That is funny!!!!!!

What is sad is that the originals were very well done but the imitations have pretty much ruined it.

hmmm. sounds a lot like church ministry as well... the ministries that explode and make the "most influential list" are usually doing something unique... and then you have the imitators who do bad dramas, poor graphics & media, tacky stage designs, "big" youth group events, sermons based on movie titles, sex series, etc etc and end up making us jaded to the original which was probably halfway descent.

[chris]

I'm glad you posted this. I had noticed this for a while and it's been turning my stomache. Churches out there have become "So you think you can dance"- It's obviously a rip off of American Idol, but somehow it's just not as good. That's why I'm trying not to read too much or go too many conferences before we launch our church. I really don't want to be unoriginal.

[Joshua Cryer]

It is always hilariously sad when "the church" rips off the success model of another, thinking that it guarantees greater conversions, numbers, growth, and such. I firmly believe that Jesus will always “speak to”, and inspire us to reach those who we’re called to reach and shepherd - if we’re listening (Job 33:14).

As Christians, we are supposed to be in “the business” of making Him famous, and being examples, messengers, witnesses, etc. of how awesome Jesus is! And the world knows it! Anytime we try to replace that GOOD message with HYPE, especially BAD HYPE, it totally opens the door to make us look foolish. Example: The “Faux Noomas”.

The rip-off is never quite as good as the real thing. “Oreos”- “Twist-and-Shouts”…”Lego’s” –“Mega-Blocks”…“Fruit-loops” – “Frosted-Fruity O’s”… “Honey Smack’s” – “Puffed Wheat”… “Tropicana Pure Premium” – That Gallon jug of orange Slurry in the juice section at the supermarket.

This “bad hype” is really the result of shortcutting the hard work of: seeking out what Jesus wants to do, the time in prayer, the creative process, the perseverance, the longsuffering, and frankly - the good old fashioned hard work required to make something successful. I’m sure that Rob Bell worked hard to establish the “Nooma” series as successful. It seems to me that he performs his work with expertise, polish, skill, and integrity (Psalm 78:71).

Trying to copy another movement’s “success model” as a way to be successful ourselves, possibly (well more than likely) allows us to miss out on what Jesus would have us do to make him famous…and the big thing that the “Success Buffers” miss out on…the opportunity to connect with Jesus in ways not possible otherwise.

[Justin Mc.]

oh man oh man. Rob Bell and Nooma. We have some pretty cool videos that AREN'T "faux Nooma" but super awesome @ www.generatelife.com

[Richie Merritt]

Wanna see some really inspiring videos (oh.., I mean stinkin Hilarious videos) - go to www.forefront.org and check out the media area or go to YouTube and search for Forefront.

Enjoy!

[Kyle Baker]

I'm all for church bodies creating their own content.. but not for the sake of hip-ness... it does take a grain of salt to realize that not everyone (perhaps no one?) in the church might have seen the original and be aware of the rip-off... Churches should tell their stories, and their lessons... but hopefully in the process they'll tell and teach in their own way.

kyle

[neil]

I'm gonna drive down there and give you a high five.

Thanks for saying this!