Ngwatilo

Was listening to my local Christian fm radio station a couple days ago; the dude was talking about how, while he walked along the beach at the coast, he was so “bumbuazed” by the creation around him… I rolled my eyes and sighed at the same time: on one hand the dude sounded so clichy, so replayed, but on the other hand, I’ve felt that way, amazed at God or something I could only attribute to God. So what was wrong? Well, his language was totally not new or believable, and perhaps I care or noticed because it’s the stuff of my life to convey thought, emotion or other stats of mind exactly, therefore believably and his commentary was SO blasé. But I also recognized and was disappointed in the fact that his audience remains totally accepting of that sort of lazy language and lazy wonderment. If the level of acceptance was allowed to pervade, one could say along with whatever else, that one kilo of tomatoes is Ksh 1000 and the nation of (insert preferred group for critique) would accept without question. They don’t. I want to understand. If the issue is that listeners do not necessarily believe him, but can recall their own wonderment, ok; all it means is that they have very poor marketing & PR, because the masses of people who have no clue what they’re selling won’t buy, and consumers who are not necessarily customers won’t necessarily become such. that is my thought.

Another: This morning went to Mavuno’s launch of their church in South B. There was a complete marketing blitz like something I saw in NY just before the launch of this downtown church, (great images, great little blurbs that got to the heart of a lot of people’s issues with Church – everywhere, even in my remote subway line – the G-train) Nairobi’s who’s who were there, which was different, i suppose i’m not a Mavuno someone, but it’s apparent they have the generation whose older compatriots go to All Saints and places like that. Bedrock churches. Their “service sheet” was inspired. great shape, great design, thoughtful inserts, bios, marketing things (almost to a fault.) like the guy doing the Vote of Thanks said, they have really talented people doing things for them. He has their number if you want

I’m surprised I didn’t hear about it in the news. Yes, the blitz was that complete, as were the personalities. I feel like something must get into the gossip column, which sounds totally wrong for church, but I feel like, soon it may not. They’ll have to work extra hard not to open themselves up to that problem…

*disclaimer: It was a real church, with all the stuff of good real churches: good music, good sermon from a real bible. good and proper christian doctrine, and nice people who greet you when you walk in. These ones were wearing Khanga fashioned uniforms, well done. Just saying.