*Note* This post is the first in my new category of: What the Church Can Learn From… in which I’ll talk about what the church can learn from…interesting places. This particular post may have more appeal to you if you are of an Emergent Church persuasion. While I am not, I don’t think of the act of simply drinking alcohol is a sin. P.S. I also talk about what the church can learn from a beer company. */Note*

I can’t say that I ever really thought about writing a post on here that featured beer. I’m usually more of a wine drinker, but tonight while James, Angela, Jessa and I were watching tv, we saw a very interesting commercial. It was a commercial for Samuel Adams. I’ll catch you after you watch it:

[quicktime width=”480″ height=”320″ autoplay=”no”]http://www.samueladams.com/_commercials/Ch3_HappyEmployees.mov[/quicktime]

Alright. Wasn’t that a great ad? I love the fact that they have the computer systems analyst talking about how much he loves beer. The computer systems program analyst.

I know this may sound weird, but I think the church can learn a lot from Sam Adams. One of the guys in the commercial says: “You need passion, you have to actually believe in what you’re doing.” When you watch their commercials, it’s almost as if they worship beer. Everyone in their company is dedicated to producing the best possible product. They even brew it in their homes! Talk about being familiar with your product. What if the church gave off the same energy? How many churches have you been in where you don’t even know if the pastor believes in what he’s saying, much less the congregation? Everyone at Sam Adams is dedicated to a vision.

The other thing that I really like about Sam Adams as a company is that they don’t waste their money on fancy ads. Their commercials are simple and to the point: We make great beer because we’re beer drinkers just like you. Now that’s a simple, uncomplicated message. No scantily clad women, fast cars or celebrity endorsements. We just make good beer. I think the church should employ this strategy: We want to help you find God because we’re people just like you. No flashy sales pitches, no dangling people over Hell on a rotten stick. Just simple honesty.

*P.S. There’s even more I think we can learn from Sam Adams, but I’ll save them for a future post.

Wow, all that talk about beer has made me thirsty. Where’s my pint?