When someone wants to open a new restaurant, she/he must first think of a concept. Restaurant concepts are various ways and means of operating restaurants. The term restaurant concept means the service style, operational strategy, theme, cuisine, and culture of a restaurant. The goal is to create a comfortable climate for dining. New restaurant concepts sometimes completely redefine the idea of eating out. (For example, fast food in the 1950s & 60s.)

There are many different kinds restaurant concepts.  Examples include fast casual, buffet, fine dining, fast food, cafe or bistro, ethnic food, theme cuisine, food trucks, family style dining, casual dining, etc.

So why not various church concepts? Why are so many churches set up and operated on the same 1-man sermon concept? Why do churches tend to get “lost is a sea of sameness”?

“Many restaurant owners try to appeal to the greatest audience, but in doing so, the concepts become too general and possess no unique competitive edge. The restaurant gets lost in a sea of sameness.” –Danny Carberry

* Perhaps it’s time for churches to break out of the 1-man sermon concept and climb out of “the sea of sameness.”

* Churches need to “embrace new trends while remaining faithful to their strategy and core values.”

* Churches need to get a hold of the idea, proven by the restaurant industry, that inspired innovation can change our culture.

One fresh church concept is participatory/organic church, where instead of a one-man sermon, everyday people are allowed (as inspired by the Spirit) to share testimonies, Scriptures, prayer needs, short teachings, exhortations, gifts of the Spirit, confessions of sin, prayers, etc. according to the biblical commandment in 1 Corinthians 14:26.

To experience the participatory/organic church concept for yourself, visit The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry St., Nashville, TN 37207 on Sundays at 10:45 am.

Other What The Church Can Learn From posts include:

What The Church Can Learn From Basketball Officials

What The Church Can Learn From Country Music, Yall

What The Church Can Learn From Smartphones

What The Church Can Learn From Facebook

What The Church Can Learn From The NFL

What The Church Can Learn From YouTube (Live, It’s Sunday Morning!)