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Did you know there are geeks in the pews? Being a Christian is hard enough (yes, I know we’re saved by grace not by works, but still, it can be hard) and then put on top of it that you’re a geek? Dude. Hard.

But, wait, what is a geek you ask? Good question (and not because I asked it).

Here’s a quick test:

Do you know the meaning of and even origin for the words: frak, smeg, frel, nerf hearder? Do you know the difference between a megabit and a terabit? Have you heard of Schrödinger's cat? Do you have the NASA website bookmarked on your laptop, desktop and phone’s web browser? Do you understand the awesome that is the Heisenberg Compensators? Have you ever had a fight with a friend over two guys named Kirk and Picard? You cried when Superman died? WOW for you is an acronym not an expression? When someone mentions the Battle of Yavin IV you know the importance of that war? You know who Jar Jar Binks is and you know why you don’t like him?

If you answered yes to any of these then you know what’s going on. If you don’t I’d like to tell you the importance of ministering to the Geek in the Pew.

For the longest time, many of us kept our geekiness a secret lest we be found out. We’d speak in code and if you understood what we were saying, then we knew it was safe to reveal our geekiness. There’s a fear in revealing our excitement about sci-fi, fantasy, computer, science and comic books. Yet this is how we relate to this world, how we see things. A real fear is that if we reveal our membership in geekdom, we might be called childish, immature, frivolous and even have our very faith in Christ challenged (no joke). And so we keep quiet about it.

Until recently.

There has been a rise in Geekdom as of late from The Big Bang Theory on CBS to the recent crowned Miss America coming out and saying she’s a huge history geek and loves Star Wars. More than that, the things we’ve “geeked” out about over the years have now become the foundation which is driving science, philosophy, literature and, hopefully, even ministry.

Star Wars and Star Trek are no longer in the column of pop culture, they have become part of our North American DNA and even the DNA of the world. It is a common language I’ve been able to speak with people across all races, genders, and religions.

There is a need to minister to the geek in the pew. They are Doctors, scientists, music teachers, housewives, farmers, dentists, nurses, and even (gasp) pastors.

You’d be amazed what Biblical truths can be geekily applied for someone struggling with fear and grieving the loss of a family member. Or using Star Trek when explaining how the Holy Spirit works. Or X-men when discussing grace.

The geek is on the rise and will be and most likely already is the next leader in your congregation. Accept the geek. How? Maybe toss out a reference here or there (knowing that you might face the wrath of fanboy if you get it wrong but also the grace of the geeks for trying), or even asking to watch the first three non-1997 versions of Star Wars with them will begin to help.

How might you reach the geek in the pew? 

Comments

Love it! I'm an IT geek but also a reading nerd. I get all happy inside when our pastor makes references to Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia, or quotes from "Wired" magazine. :)

Live long and prosper!

Joshua Benton on July 23, 2011

In reply to by anonymous_stub (not verified)

Love it! One time when preaching on Rack, Shcak and Benny being tossed into the firey furnance I said 'It's a trap".. Some people actually got it.

Glad you have a pastor who uses those references.

As an IT geek and Reading Nerd, any other suggestions on reaching the Geek in the Pew?

Joshua Benton on July 23, 2011

In reply to by anonymous_stub (not verified)

Sweetness. I like that. Have you used other referneces in your messages as well (like star trek, etc?)? I'm always looking for new ways to sneak in Geek referneces including "Sin is an epic fail" into my messages. What suggestions might you have?

Joshua Benton on July 23, 2011

In reply to by anonymous_stub (not verified)

Okay, I'm stealing the Dr. Who quote for twitter. BTW, have you seen the discussion forum post in pastors called "Dress Code"? I've worn a bowtie the last few times in homage to the 11th doctor.

Joshua Benton on July 23, 2011

In reply to by anonymous_stub (not verified)

Love the breakdown of 42. Gotta use that sometime. Do you have your towel handy?

Joshua Benton on July 26, 2011

In reply to by anonymous_stub (not verified)

Glad you liked it Aaron.

Any suggestions for reaching The Geek in the Pew?

No special strategy from me. Just the general showing interest in people, asking them questions about what they are interested in, letting them talk about what excites them most.

Hey Josh ... We've enjoyed sermons illustrating biblical messages using the Matrix movies.  That meant a lot to us geeks in the congregation.  I think it's also especially meaningful to our high school youth.

Blessings,

--John

Joshua Benton on July 27, 2011

In reply to by anonymous_stub (not verified)

I've heard of churches (and youth groups) doing that before. Glad to hear the good reception. Out of curiosity, have y'all ever used other movies the same way?

Joshua Benton on August 2, 2011

In reply to by anonymous_stub (not verified)

[quote=Joy Engelsman]

Who doesn't love Jar Jar Binks?!?! 

[/quote]

Don't geta me a started on the Jar Jar. Hesa big one mesa donna likea. Da Jar Jar isa da one who asked for da vote for the big meany Chancelor to be emorer. Mesa no like him.

Read Jonah 4:1 and 4:6 from Hebrew and it sounds like Yoda. . . 

Displeased was Jonah with great displeasure

Happy was Jonah with great happiness

Star Wars and other geeky things are great intergenerational communication tools.  My 6th grade daughter and a few others (the rest are all guys) in her class know all the Episodes by heart.  We geeks are in every generation!  

Geek disappointment in church: Years ago, I asked a parishioner if I could borrow the videotape he had made of the most recent episode of Star Trek: Deep Space 9. I knew he recorded every episode, and I had forgotten to set my videorecorder for that one. I never saw the episode though. When I asked him, he exclaimed, "And lend out one of my original master copies!?"

Oh well, live long and prosper anyway!

Joshua Benton on August 16, 2011

In reply to by anonymous_stub (not verified)

When I was in college and seminary, my wife and I gaurded our DS9 and Voyager tapes like hawks. I know where the guy is coming from. BTW.. you remember which episode it was?

Mark Stephenson on August 16, 2011

In reply to by anonymous_stub (not verified)

Yikes, Josh, you've exposed me as a mere pseudo-Trekkie. I don't remember the name of an episode that I missed 18 years ago.

Joshua Benton on August 16, 2011

In reply to by anonymous_stub (not verified)

I keep forgetting it was that long ago. I've seen so many re-runs of the series over the years I forget sometimes.

Just a follow up to this blog post. Here are two sites that examine geeks in the pew.

www.geeksinthepew.com and http://thechristiannerd.com/

both are good sites about being a geek in the pew.

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