In a packed auditorium in California a congregation is forming. It is a sacred space. People wait in anticipation for the latest revelation from their leader. Many have travelled long distances and famous faces line the congregation as well as the stage. Today's sermon is delivered, without notes, with energy and enthusiasm. The congregation is in a responsive mood full of whoops and cheers, was that a "Hallelujah" I heard?
They have come with one purpose – to be the first to experience the future. It's a diverse group of worshippers from around the world and different spheres of society, young and old. Finally, the moment the assembled worshippers have been waiting for arrives. Salvation from mediocrity and bad design – the iPhone 6 is released. There is even a call forward as those who been granted admission to this exclusive gathering are invited to get their hands on these heavenly devices.
Full disclosure here. I am technophile. I am writing this article on an Apple MacBook Pro and I was one of the millions eager to find out about the latest release from Apple's event yesterday. But perhaps, as in the whole of life, there is opportunity for a little theological reflection on the iPhone 6 launch event?
1. Purposeful Pilgrimage
At a time when many churches are reconsidering where and how they meet, the Apple launch offers an interesting conversation starter. Some churches are asking whether we need Sunday services. Do we need to be present at a service or does watching online work just as well? Does the preacher need to be in the same time zone, let alone the same room?
Before Steve Jobs, industry launches were in-house non-events, simply the transfer of information and technical data. But when Jobs launched the Macintosh there was literally a veil over it that he pulled back after he had given an inspiring prologue. He brought a sense of occasion to these hitherto boring experiences. He was a creative thinker who was willing the challenge the status quo, ask difficult questions and then redefine his industry. He started a tradition that has outlived him. The style and format of yesterday's event was an unspoken homage to him.
Perhaps as churches we need to consider again what it is we are doing when we meet. Some church members see church simply as the transfer of information that could be replaced by a podcast or watching a live stream at home. Some church leaders see preaching as something similar – the delivery of a message. Both of these fall short of a biblical picture of a church gathering. When we gather, we are meeting with one another to share an experience, to be a family together in God's presence. We are gathering for the opportunity to obey scripture's commands to each other. We gather to hear the transforming word of God shape us as individuals and as community. We gather to share one cup and one loaf in communion. Church is a family gathering, and while at Christmas a Skype conversation with a distant relative can be wonderful – nothing quite beats being there in the flesh.
I'm sure most of us who watched the Apple event streamed (slowly) over the internet would rather have been there in person. The Global Pilgrimage made by Stephen Fry, Gwen Stefani and Dr Dre to be present together was seen to be worth the effort – how much more must this be true of our gatherings as God's people.
2. Confident Christianity
Listening to Jonny Ives, Apple's head of design, describe the iPhone 6 is a lesson in evangelism. He speaks with passion and confidence. He eulogises about what has been achieved. He describes the transcendent qualities of the new device: they take their owners beyond any kind of experience of mobile communication that anyone has ever had before. There is no apology, just confidence.
Most Apple enthusiasts are so confident in the superiority of their iPads and iPhones that they invite their friends to behold its new features, to touch, to feel and to witness its qualities. When Christians talk about their faith, we often downplay the significance of Christ to us. We are ashamed to mention the cost of following Christ. We feel awkward commending Jesus to others.
I know some believers who know more about their phone than they know about the Bible. I have started conversations with strangers based on technology with less embarrassment than I have started a conversation about Jesus.
The key problem seems to be a lack of confidence. Perhaps its due to a lack of theology – Christians not spending enough time or energy giving serious attention to understanding their faith. Perhaps it's due to a lack of experience – Christians not proving God's faithfulness through living God dependent lives at home and work. Whatever the causes, a recovery of confidence is vital if we are going to commend Christ in our communities.
3. Future Facing
Apple events feel like an experience of time travel. They make you think you will be given a forestate of the future when they reveal their latest products. At the iPhone 6 launch Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, used the phrase "One more thing" for the first time since Steve Job's death. The phrase was Job's trademark; a nod to the TV detective Columbo who would interview his suspects and then head for the door before turning around at the last minute to ask a question that would turn everything on its head.
Yesterday's "one more thing" was used to reveal the Apple Watch – Apple's late entry to the smart watch market. The launch events are all about helping an audience believe they are being transported into the future – being the first to see what the rest of the world will catch up with later.
Church is supposed to be about time travel too. The Church is an eschatological entity – a taste of tomorrow, today. In the love and community of a church the ethnic barriers that divide our world are supposed to be eliminated. In the proclamation of the good news of the Kingdom of God we announce to the world that Jesus is the coming King and now is the time turn to him for forgiveness and adoption. In the fight for justice and the offering of mercy to those in need we give the world a taste of life in the age to come.
Dr Krish Kandiah is President of London School of Theology and Founder of the charity Home for Good.
