“As simple as Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood looked and sounded, every detail in it was the product of a tremendously careful, academically-informed process.”
I love this article from The Atlantic on the extensive work Rogers put into every line delivered on his show. He was strategic. There were no throw away lines. Everything was purposeful.
The article talks about ‘Freddish,’ a term for the specific way of communicating Rogers was known for. Here’s the key: "Fundamentally, Freddish anticipated the ways its listeners might misinterpret what was being said.”
One line could get rewritten 8 times to make sure it communicated exactly what Rogers wanted. “It is dangerous to play in the street” could be worked over again and again until it becomes “Your favorite grown-ups can tell you where it is safe to play. It is important to try to listen to them, and listening is an important part of growing.”
First, you’d rewrite it to make it a positive statement. Then you need to remember that this message is for pre-schoolers and at that age, you still need to be redirected to an authority figure. The sentence then becomes “Ask your parents where it is safe to play.” But wait, not all kids are raised by their parents so you need to change it to “your favorite grown-up.”
And so on. And so on.
I can’t help but be challenged by this. Am I as careful with what I say on stage? Do I go over my word choices with a fine-tooth comb? Am I as aware of my audience as Mister Rogers? Am I anticipating how things could be misinterpreted?
Even just from reading the article you get the sense of just how exhausting this level of attention to detail can be. I was once at a dinner with other ministers and we could not stop talking about the worship song Reckless Love. Can we say that God’s love is reckless? Is that wrong? Should churches sing that? What does that say about the character of God? At the time, I was not having it. I just wanted everyone to shut up and eat their burgers. I was tired. It was the end of a long week of camp. I wanted to just shout “WHO CARES” and let that be the end.
But, honestly, it’s a question worth asking.
Not just with one worship song, but with everything we do and say in the church. What is it communicating? How can this be misinterpreted? Pastors are shepherds entrusted with a flock to lead and protect. That’s a big deal.
My friend Cameron has been doing a lot of really challenging writing that examines certain “givens” we’ve accepted in the modern American evangelical church.
Should churches put an American flag on stage?
Is what we’re calling the gospel actually the gospel?
I have to applaud his dedication to cautiously evaluating what is being presented to his flock. That’s some real Mister Rogers stuff right there.
Does your church ask these questions? How do we talk about sin? Worship? Discipleship? Yes, it can get exhausting and frustrating and confusing, but it’s worth it. Maybe we don’t have to talk about it at dinner, but we can come back to the topic tomorrow.