TQM Church: Do I belong here?

I wrote before about The Total Quality Management Church, including links to various high-quality, well-marketed church web sites. The main issue I had with them was this: Would you feel welcome at these churches if you looked like this:



I know I wouldn't, even if I were all dressed up. With everyone so perfect... where would I fit in? How would this church be relevant to what I'm going through?

Sure, all the stock and professionally done photos evoke a positive message, one that won't offend, and one that won't scare anyone. But, they also tend to project the kind of people that you're looking for. It unconsciously says to the poor, the needy, the outcasts, the ugly: we don't want you around.

Like I said before: it prevents defects (nobody gets offended by an ugly picture), but it also prevents excellence (an atmosphere where God changes the lives of real, un-perfect people).

[1] - Image is of Yu Zhenhuan, who holds the world record for "Hairiest Man."