The “Dazzle Factor”

In the wake of a several-years’ trend in declining attendance, we were sitting in a Sunday school teachers’ meeting last week, discussing in small groups why we thought people actually came to our Sunday school classes as first-time visitors. I heard myself say, “the Dazzle Factor.” This, of course, drew raised eyebrows. I realized that I had in mind the search I see many making for the next new thing, being driven by a wanderlust, a willingness to try the suggestion made by our church’s leadership that the Sunday school classes offer community and connection. Once the newness of the visit experience wears off, however, they are looking at a call for commitment and an invitation to go to work on “getting into the Word.” The Word carries its own reward and engagement, but it also requires skillful and artful handling on the front end, from those who teach it.

Then there came in the mail this week a beautiful program brochure/ chapbook from Beeson Divinity School for its Fall Community Worship Program, entitled Tell It Slant.  I, at first, thought I had misread the title. Why would anyone want to intentionally distort the scriptures (Revelation 22:18—19)? Closer inspection revealed that the title is an allusion to an Emily Dickenson poem:

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant—

Success in Circuit lies

Too bright for our infirm delight

The Truth’s superb surprise

As lightening to the Children eased

With explanation kind

The Truth must dazzle gradually

Or every man be blind—

The program the seminary is offering is an examination of the parables of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus was masterfully “telling in Circuit” the Truth in His parables. It is, indeed, the Truth, itself, which ultimately “dazzles” to everyone’s satisfaction, not the packaging and handling thereof.  So, we as teachers must redirect the seekers’ focus away from ourselves and toward the Truth. We are only able to  do that, however, by skillful packaging. Jesus, Himself, is our example.