Filmmaker Dan Merchant started a dialogue about The Church on The Big Screen in his movie documentary, “Lord, Save Us From Your Followers“. He put on his bumper sticker-clad jumpsuit and hit the streets of America to find out what Americans thought about the Church and Christians. The movie is from 2008, but it could have been made yesterday; the questions are meaningful to today’s culture in the church and in our society.
If you have never seen the movie, what follows is a movie that is at times eye-opening and convicting, and at other times heart-warming. If you haven’t see it, it can be streamed on Netflix, or rented on DVD.
Merchant tackles the issues that come up with a fresh eye that will surprise many non-believers in it’s frank appraisal of the Church. The over-arching question asked by the film is, “Why is the gospel of love dividing America?”
I urge leadership teams everywhere to view the movie and discuss it. There are natural breaking points in it that you can pause for discussion. There’s a lot in here to absorb at one time, especially if you are going to tackle what it means to your local congregation and church.
Look for resources and more information about the movie at it’s home page, lordsaveusthemovie.com. If you want to screen it for your congregation or community, there are posters, rave cards, and bulletin inserts.
The film is a starting point, not a destination.
