sustain:if:able kiwi

why on earth would you preach a sermon on shrek?

As part of last Sunday’s “gospel according to Shrek” service, a creative and talented church member added another verse to that well-known children’s song, If I were a butterfly. Here is the Shrek verse.

If I were an ogre called Shrek, I’d sit enjoy God’s creation for a while
If I were a lovely princess, I’d thank you God with my beautiful smile
If I were a puss n boots cat, I’d thankyou God by tipping my hat
But I just thankyou father for making me me,

Anyhow, over the week, there has been some fairly hostile comments in response to my posting of my gospel according to Shrek sermon. One commenter asked: “Where do you guys come up with such ideas?”

A fair enough question that I’ve spent the week pondering. It’s easy to see a finished product, and to forget that a fair amount of internal reflection goes on prior.

I was recorded today for my regular Viewpoint slot on local Christian radio and I considered the “why preach a sermon on Shrek question?” in the process. Here is my (verbal) introduction:

Good morning listeners. I went to see the movie Shrek 3 with my kids last week.

I came away pondering the question “what do I, as a Christian think about Shrek?” And “how do I, as a Christian father, help my kids think Christianly about the movie?”

Because, Shrek has a message. The message is this: In Shrek 1 and Shrek 2 and Shrek 3: “that it’s whats on the inside that counts.”

That Shrek doesn’t have to mean and nasty ogre, who eats people, and lives all by himself alone in the swamp. And when Shrek the ogre kisses the beautiful princess Fiona, she turns into her true self. An ogre-self.

And so Shrek is not your typical, Hollywood, once upon a time, beautiful princess, fairytale ending. Shrek is two ogres who live happily ever after.

Because it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

And my kids hear that message: Growing up in a world where outward beauty and outward body image are seen as so important.

Hence my question; What do Christians think about the Shrek message; “that its what’s on the inside that counts” …. and I went on from there to offer a condensed version of my gospel according to Shrek sermon.