iSermons

If you've watched cable TV in Houston lately, you've probably seen the commercials for the "theology of the iPod" sermons at Metropolitan Baptist Church. The series, which started last week, already attracted the attention of the AP, which carried an article today — and we're still trying to figure it all out.

"The reason the outside of the iPod is so simple to use and so beautiful to look at is because of the way they designed the inside of the iPod," Metropolitan Baptist Church Pastor Sal Sberna told his congregation Sunday during his second of four sermons on "iPod Theology."

"All you do on the outside is push the little button, drive the wheel and pick what usefulness you want out of your iPod," he said. "And so when Jesus talks to us about simplification, it must start on the inside."

So Jesus would have an iPod? Or you can push life's buttons and spin its wheel and get what you want? Oh, the gospel is fun!

"When I go to iTunes, I select all that I want. When I go to Jesus Christ, he gives me all that I need. It's that simple," Sberna told his congregation Sunday morning. "Why have you not bought one of these things. These are so cool. They cost a little bit of money, but they are worth the money. Let me tell you something about salvation, it's free but it's not cheap."

Houstonist likes iTunes, too, but we have to admit that ours is loaded up with some satanic rock music. Don't tell anyone!

According to the AP, Sberna's trying to increase his congregation's membership to 20,000 from the current 4,000. And whatever you might have to say about gravy-training off the iPod's success, it's a pretty smart idea in this case. The sermons probably won't lure the hip young demographic you'd think — after all, they're pretty cynical and don't like to wake up early Sundays — but hordes of out-of-touch people will think basing religion on an mp3 player is really something. (It also seems like a good way to get Apple to sponsor a technology program at your church, doesn't it?)

Now, if you'll excuse us, we're gonna go rock out to some Doobies.