Dear Cornerstone Family,
I’m pleased to report that our new Director of Youth and Families, Drew Abercrombie, and his wife, Kelly, and their two sons, Samuel and Silas, arrived in middle Tennessee this week. For the next several weeks, the Abercrombies will be settling into their new place and easing into life here in Franklin. Drew will officially step into the role of Director of Youth and Families on August 1st.
If you haven’t already, please mark your calendars for Sunday August 6th. In between services (9:45-10:35am), we will officially introduce the Abercrombies and spend time getting to know Drew. We would love to see all Cornerstone members present, especially Cornerstone Youth and parents!
Now, last week I mentioned three books I completed in June, and several of you asked me if I enjoy watching movies, too. The short answer is, “Yes!” I do love a good movie (though I find them harder to come by these days).
Christy and I did catch “A Man Called Otto” about a month ago. It’s an excellent film based on the book, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. It’s the story of a man––Ove in the book, Otto in the movie––who lost his wife and then lost his will to live. The story follows Ove’s/Otto’s descent into isolation and suicidal despair toward a redeemed—even resurrected—life full of vocational purpose and meaningful relationships. It’s a touching film with a compelling script and great acting. If you watch it, pay close attention to the gospel arc in the story.
On that note, we enjoy watching movies together as a church community from time to time. When we watch films, there are several principles we keep in mind. But one in particular comes to mind right now.
When you watch movies, consider the leading questions and concerns of the film and how those questions and concerns relate to our cultural moment and the gospel. Movies are a window or an inside track to what the culture thinks is important. If we’re reflective about our movie intake and pay attention to the questions and concerns being raised, and then prayerfully reflect on the connection between the questions and concerns and the gospel, we will be better prepared to bear witness for Christ in our time and place.
On that note, Julie Davis encourages us to ask four questions each time we watch a movie:
• What does this movie say/teach about God?
• What does the movie say/teach about humanity?
• What does the movie teach/portray as the basis for right and wrong?
• What does the movie claim to be the purpose/meaning of life?
Now, a lot more could be said, but if you started with these four questions, and reflectively considered how the answers to these questions are corrected by or are in keeping with the gospel, your movie watching experience will be enriched all the more. More than that, you might be better equipped to give a wise and compelling defense for the hope within you (1 Peter 3:15).
Your servant,
