About two months ago, there was a lot of hype being generated about Zoe Tay and Fann Wong coming together to act in a Chinese serial called "The Ultimatum" (双子星). It would also feature other big names like Tay Ping Hui, Li Nanxing and Felicia Chin.
I am sure MediaCorp Studios and others in the industry had great expectations, but sad to say, it was the blockbuster that wasn't. Despite the stellar cast and great efforts in publicity, viewers who tuned in for the first and second episodes decided to switch off thereafter. In fact, it was reported that ratings fell far short of the previous three serials that were shown at the same 9pm time slot on Channel 8.
When interviewed, these viewers said that they could not connect with the storyline and plot. In other words, what was more relevant to them was not so much the packaging but the content. The substance was more important than the form.
As I pondered over this, a deeper spiritual truth about substance over form dawned upon me. Some people accuse NewCre of being able to attract tens and thousands each week because it has professional-looking ushers, a great band and choir and good-looking pastors (and I must concede that they are rather). But all this packaging will come to naught if there is no content in the sermons. Sure, due to the recent publicity about Ps Prince earning half a million dollars, there could be the curious few who decided to go and hear for themselves what the hoo-ha was all about. But just like those viewers who only tuned in for one or two episodes of The Ultimatum, these people would also not continue to attend church if they found that the messages did not resonate with them.
The reason why NewCre has an attendance of 23,000 and counting is because the pastors are unveiling the person of Jesus and His finished work, week in week out. That is what the good news is all about and by doing so, people keep coming back for more. Amen?
2 comments:
Yea. Praise the Lord. This is the exact reason why I decided to change church. Not because pastor prince is good looking or because he is a good speaker. (although he is). But solely because of the content of every single sermon, fully based on the finished work of the cross.
Amen! Recently, NCC's other pastors like Pastor Lian, Pastor Mark and Pastor Henry have been given more chances to preach, and their sermons are just as anointed, and all of them unveil the person of Jesus and His finished work.
The pastors, worship team and ushers are just the supporting cast; Jesus Christ is the true star at NCC ;-)
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