Popcorn theology: Neighbors share movie, talk about God

Neighbors share movie, talk about God

The Neighborhood Church was decorated for the Popcorn Theology event with a superhero theme for The Incredibles, a movie about a family of superheroes that learns about love. The evening started with pizza for dinner and a fellowship time for members and families to reconnect after the work week.
The Neighborhood Church was decorated for the Popcorn Theology event with a superhero theme for The Incredibles, a movie about a family of superheroes that learns about love. The evening started with pizza for dinner and a fellowship time for members and families to reconnect after the work week.

The superheroes were in the house! Soon, they were squealing and running with their capes flying behind them. And the floor was littered with popcorn.

The Incredibles

Known to the world as superheroes Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, Bob Parr and his wife Helen were among the world's greatest crime fighters, saving lives and battling evil on a daily basis. Fifteen years later, they have been forced to adopt civilian identities and retreat to the suburbs to live "normal" lives with their three kids, Violet, Dash and baby Jack-Jack. Itching to get back into action, Bob gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top secret assignment, from which his family must save him.

Cast of Characters

Dad: Mr. Incredible. Superpower: Strength and durability.

Mom: Elastigirl. Superpower: Dexterity.

Daughter: Violet. Superpowers: Force fields and invisibility.

Son: Dash. Superpower: Speed

Fellow superhero: Frozone. Superpower: Create ice and freeze surfaces with his hands.

The villain: Syndrome.

The villain's assistant: Mirage.

SOURCE: movies.disney.com

Popcorn Theology

Movie: The Croods

Costume theme: Caveman, camping

When: June 26, with Bible Camp

Where: The Neighborhood Church, 2003 S.W. Regional Airport Blvd., Bentonville

Information: 464-5030, lifeintheneighborho…

Additional Screenings

Where: United Lutheran Church of Bella Vista, 100 Cooper Road

When: 8 p.m. June 12, July 10, Aug. 14

Movies: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2, June 12; Monsters University, July 10; The Lorax, Aug. 14

Information: 855-1325, unitedlutheranbv.org

Member families of The Neighborhood Church in Bentonville gathered on a recent dark and stormy Friday night to watch the movie "The Incredibles" (2004, Disney Pixar) as part of the church's regular Popcorn Theology series.

Among the dressed superheroes were Pastor Joe Liles, as Mr. Incredible, and his wife Jessica, as Elastigirl, the parents in the Incredibles story.

"We wanted a way for families to get together in a way they normally get together," said Joe Liles, using his and Jess' own experience as the parents of two young children. "We know they are fans and watch movies. (As a ministry team) we want to meet them in their culture.

"We also want to give parents tools to talk about God. So we use something they normally do to lead into a discussion about God."

The evening started with children clutching slices of pizza in their hands -- the night's dinner was just $5 a child -- as they fulfilled their superhero fantasies with their friends. Movie nights always start with similar meal and time to fellowship and unwind from the day, Liles said. Families gathered at a "photo spot" decorated with the theme of the movie. Some parents met their families at church after the work week finally came to an end, greeting their children with big hugs and never-ending kisses. Some couples sat quietly together and watched the movie; others gathered with other adults or spent quality time with computers and notebooks while the kids watched the movie again. "They've all seen it 10 times," Liles joked.

First, the kids and adults in their costumes showed off their best superhero poses, basking in Liles' infectious enthusiasm. Some kids in pajamas settled in on their blankets and pillows with favorite stuffed animals to watch the movie. Some continued to run.

"It's a great family-oriented program," said Christina Scheurer of Cave Springs, who joined her husband and three children. "It's so great that we can bring them, and they can be loud and run around -- even when they lose interest."

"It's something we do as a church family that's fun," said Eno Konomi of Bella Vista, who was dressed as Clark Kent, mid-change. "The kids get to see their friends. We come no matter what the weather.

"It's organized, family-friendly entertainment. It's a comfortable way to be with friends on a weekend night. I don't always see the kids but two or three hours after work, so I want to spend time with my spouse and family on the weekend."

Before that click of the mouse started the movie, though, Liles asked the group to look for something as they watched the movie: "I want you to look for the places you see God in the movie."

Eyes on God

"After the movie, we have the families sit together and talk for a few minutes to share where each member saw God," Liles said. "Then, with those kids, you get to talk about it immediately. Then we can get the kids and the parents comfortable about talking about God together."

"This is the best part," said Linda Vytlacil. "Joe makes it all come together in a moral lesson."

"I really like being able to share this experience with my family and everyone else at church," said Cora Scheurer, who at age 10 now helps make the popcorn.

"How many saw God in the movie," Liles asked, and children answered.

Eva Konomi: "I saw Violet's force field as 'God's strength around us,' she said.

"So God kind of protects us," Liles solidified.

A.J. Wilcoxson: "When Dash 'wun' (run) on the water, he was thankful he could 'wun' faster than the 'buwwets' (bullets)."

"God is the fastest runner, all day long," Liles said. "Let us race to Christ."

Calvin Poindexter: "Like Frozone couldn't find his super suit, sometimes we need to find God."

Max Vytlacil: "Through it all, the family kept together, no matter what. They would sacrifice themselves to protect others."

"That's very Christ-like," Liles added.

Cora Scheurer: "They protected people they didn't even know."

"And that is hugely God," Liles said. "Sometimes, we're called to protect people we don't even know."

Adults only

After the family conversation, the kids went into the fellowship area for quick craft projects-- this week, "super-awesome, superhero masks," Liles said. Parents stayed in the sanctuary/theater with Liles, who expanded on the concepts of the movie and compared it to biblical lessons.

"I want to give them a way to take it deeper, for themselves and their families," he said. "And that water run (by Dash) is definitely a Peter reference: Peter walked on the water on his faith."

The adults shared their own sightings of God.

Dan Dancer: "Their strengths and abilities only came together when they teamed up as a family. They make the chain stronger together. Only when all the powers of their gifts were fully utilized by love did they spark as a family."

"So let the children -- everybody in the family -- live their gifts to the fullest to truly see what they are," Liles said. "Mom gave Dash permission to run as fast as he could, and he didn't even know how fast he was."

Tom Poindexter: "I'm a huge fan of redemption. The bad guy showed love in the beginning and said, 'I want some of that back.'"

Liles pointed out that, as a child, Syndrome wanted to be part of Mr. Incredible. "He said, 'I want to be just like you.'

"Jesus said, 'Let the little ones come to me,'" Liles continued. "Don't let me be a stumbling block (for children). Do this, and see God in everything. And God be with you because you sat with them on a night when everybody was running around."

Syndrome's assistant saw two paths. We saw her when she did not care for humanity, and then she switches paths and compromises for the family, Poindexter pointed out.

"She saw the love between the family and saw that the love was over everything else," Liles continued. "She saw that love was the path to take. That love was the most important rule in life."

Holly Jones, the church worship leader, had a message for Syndrome: "You don't have to do this. There's never going to be a time when you're not going to hurt, you're not going to suffer. But hope is always with us. We all are broken. We all are in need of Christ.

"You can come back to our church family."

Tim Neal: "I saw the Great Commandment in the movie. Right before the mom takes off, she tells Dash, 'If you need to run, you run' (using his superhero power for Jesus). And she told Violet, 'You lead. You're stronger than you think you are.' She left them in the tunnel that was a fire pit for the rocket exhaust -- she left them in harm's way.

"That's what happened with the disciples," Neil continued. "Jesus left them with the Holy Spirit, and said, 'I've conquered sin and death and the devil for you, you don't have to worry.'

"And then Mr. Incredible said, 'I'm weak for my family. I love them.' And what did Jesus say from the cross?"

Relationships

Soon after the movie started, Liles had three to four youngsters on his lap at a time, and he called them all by name.

"I want to make the kids comfortable," he added. "I want the kids to interact with people at the church in all kinds of circumstances. I want it to be a safe place to make friends and develop relationships.

"They come up and talk to me as a friend. I want them to know they can count on anyone -- especially their superheroes.

"Kids can lead, too," Liles continued. "It's so fulfilling."

"It's all about being able to find religious teachings and principles in that everyday moment," Konomi said. "(Liles puts) a big emphasis on community. I'm not overly religious, but I am part of the community. It's not just Christ at church. You've got to live like a Christian. You've got to make friends and live to show others.

"Our motto is: 'Change church. Create relationships.'"

NAN Religion on 06/06/2015

Upcoming Events