Gerardo Marti: Silly Bandz spirituality
Anyone who is a parent or works around kids has seen children go crazy over Silly Bandz, a broad array of colorful rubber bands shaped like cars, animals, and superheroes, and worn in big bunches on forearms. I was introduced to these back in April when my kids begged me to drive them over to the local drug store in search of a new shipment. It's not just the little ones who are into it. From toddlers to teens, the kids collect and trade Silly Bandz to express their identity and proudly flash a new form of status in the latest hierarchy of "cool."
So, when I visited a church recently I recognized the rubbery trinkets being passed out by greeters at the door. Actually, my kids saw them before I did - "Dad! Dad! They're giving out Silly Bandz!" Smiling volunteers enthusiastically gave away armloads of these pretty toys to excited kids as they came into the service that day.
As you might guess, the ambiance of this church is casual, the worship music is loud, and the "preaching" conversational. The pastor proudly showed off his own Silly Bandz at the beginning of the service before moving on.
But it was after the service when I saw these trinkets work their magic as kids, parents, other church members, and church staff were animatedly talking about their Silly Bandz, trading amongst each other, and telling stories connecting the shape of these bands to the shape of their lives. Strangers made friends, and adults found constructive ways to talk with children. A band shaped like an electric guitar prompted a person to talk about their love of music. Another shaped as an outline of the continental United States got people talking about their summer travels. And ones shaped like a cross were proudly traded around tables in the foyer amidst conversation about Jesus.
Walking outside, I found the lead pastor meeting people. I approached and saw he was chatting with my daughter. Of course, he was asking her about her Silly Bandz and got her talking about the various shapes and themes. He then took off the only one he had left on his arm and said, "You want this one?"
"YES!"
And in that moment, a bond was forged.
Of course, the pastors and volunteers in this church all know this is a little fad, a manic craze that has taken hold of our youth. By no stretch (ha ha) of the imagination are these little rubber bands to be taken seriously. They're "silly." But they're also fun. For a few pennies, the joy these knick-knacks give to children is like gold. And it is easy to see how they create an opportunity for community (including between parents and their children) as the kids go happily sporting their new treasures.
While many may see the use of such things as crassly consumerist -- a bending under the various peer-pressures abundant to all of us in the world today. Yet in this church, the gift of these little ornaments offers a strategic opportunity to meet people where they are. No pastor believes Silly Bandz are important. But right now many kids do. And the goal of ministry as the leader of this congregation understands the mission is to transition people from the vain, ephemeral things they care about today to the substantive, spiritual issues we all want them to care about for the rest of their lives.
Gerardo Marti is L. Richardson King Associate Professor of Sociology at Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, and is author of "Hollywood Faith: Holiness, Prosperity, and Ambition in a Los Angeles Church" and "A Mosaic of Believers: Diversity and Innovation in a Multiethnic Church."
Thanks for adding the cool graphic!
Jason - Thanks much for adding the flashy graphic! Is that from your own collection perhaps?
I agree with you Gerardo the
I agree with you Gerardo the images are cool...
Silly Banks
Hey old friend--thanks for the article. I think I will get a Silly Band for my son or maybe all the kids at church!
bad
people get obseesed with silly bandz and don't care about anything else exsrpt silly bandz
silly bandz arn't good!
Sillybandz...
Oh how great are they.
NO kids and chilldren wast hundreds of dollors for bandz that break easily. Chilldren get obsessed and forgrt about the world around them.
like my kid eats healthy and runs track thenshe got horibley sick the nurse said "she was so adicted with sillybandz she forgot to eat healthy,run,play and be happy.
silly bandz
i think silly bandz are a wast of time and money comints 3,095 people.
time
Of course the bands are a waste of time and money. That's half the point. The beauty of this church's actions is that they have taken something the kids are already interested in--albeit meaningless and trifling--and have used it to further tie them into the church.
It's brilliant.
There are churches who do the same thing with Santa Claus at Christmas. He'll come in, greet the kids, and read them the Christmas story. How is that (which is promoted as good evangelism) any different than using Silly Bandz to tie a kid into the Church?
banz
I was given one of these by a grade schooler at a football game last fall and had never seen them before...engaged in conversation, admired the different colors and animal shapes, etc. Perhaps someone will invent biblical shapes (ark, cross, nativity figures, etc.)...wouldn't that be cool for engaging conversation with the youth!
silly bandz
I'm surprised by the negative comments about these inexpensive, creative objects that have captured our childrens attention. I'm a counselor and have used these silly bandz to build rapport with my young clients. They provide an opportunity to talk to kids about what they enjoy and the bandz are reminiscent of the simple toys we played with as children. I'd rather see an armful of silly bandz than a carry along video game when I walk into my waiting room!
Silly Bandz
I used Silly Bandz cross shapes when I preached on Colossians 2:6-15. I pointed out the words "in him" used several times in these verses and the reference to baptism and sins nailed to the cross. As each person left the sanctuary, they reached into a bowl of water (remembering their baptism)and took out a cross (remembering sins nailed to cross) and put the cross shaped band on their wrist to go into the world and live "in him."
Check out "Believer Bands"
Check out "Believer Bands" They are the same rubber band bracelets but with Christian shapes and a story.
Doesn't that look cool Gerardo?
I'm writing from Nairobi, so I edited your post and left it for friends to put up. Wouldn't you know as soon as I leave town they go all creative and (gasp!) put in graphics? I'm not sure this should be allowed...thanks for the post, this is why I love your work: you take an object in culture, show how a church is using it as a bridge, and say why it's cool. Not surprising people kvetch (I've done it myself at you sometimes!), but I love it.
silly bandz
Thank you for a great article. I like how this silly rubber band sparked a conversation between two people who may not have otherwise conversed.
I used them as a thank you gift for my VBS volunteers this Summer. I found a set in the shape of awards. For Sunday School registration I will give out the bands in the shape of the dove, cross, heart, angel , etc.
Just another craft
Its amazing that silly bands sell so well without really dissecting what they truly are: A simple craft. Lots of moms are getting their kids into Arts and Crafts classes, finding them locally via Totactivities.com. I'm sure 99% of these craft classes could make a better product than sillybands...but what do I know.
I love this post
A post about Silly Bandz ( i love the animal ones especially the Gorilla) and building rapport is definitely worth reading. Although i hate to admit it is prob a fad, I definitely will admit to rocking jungle animals as well as meeting new people with them.
Utpost
I'm a counselor and have used these silly bandz to build rapport with my young clients. They provide an opportunity to talk to kids about what they enjoy and the bandz are reminiscent of the simple toys we played with as children.
Dont get me....
Don't even get me started on this! Sheesh, I appreciate your viewpoint but this topic frustrates me!
Great Read. Great post. Will
Great Read. Great post. Will be reading more your articles!
Nice post
This is a nice post. Very informative. Thanks for posting.
Passing fads
I'm sure silly bands will phase out like many other passing fads, but I say use them while you can to connect with the kids. My kids were big into it for a while, but are now into duct tape crafts.
I think this versatile craft is another terrific tool that could be used by the church to reach kids and even be incorporated into lessons in many ways. One easy fun one is described at myducttapecrafts.com.
There are so many other things that could be done too! I say if you can get people's attention and direct it for good and not evil, use it!
God Bless!
My friend's little girls take
My friend's little girls take their silly bands to local hospitals to give to kids there. It's amazing that such a small thing can make such a huge difference and put a large smile on their face. It is something beautiful.