This chapter is one of those chapters that makes you scratch your head and put the book down… maybe permanently. What is mean is this: in this chapter, the usually clear and fairly concise CS Lewis begins a fairly simple discussion of Dualism (“the belief that there are two equal and independent powers at the back of everything in creation, one of them good and the other bad” to quote CS) and then spins into a page and a half of head-scratching discussion on goodness, badness and the origins of it all. I understand… at least I think I do… where CS is going with this. But the casual reader might say, “I was good up until this point… then I got lost.” And they would likely be right. But what I found so interesting was that in his discussion of Dualism, there are likely a lot of Christians who would say that they agree with what dualism believes and is.
What I really liked about this chapter was CS’s illustration at the end of the chapter. It’s not a new illustration, but one that I like nonetheless. It’s the image of Christianity as a civil war in which we find ourselves living the land of the enemy. A story of how the true king who had landed in disguise to call us to be a part of “a great campaign of sabotage.” There’s just something about that that brings chills to my spine. There is something about that that taps into the wild, crazy guy in me. Something that makes we want to go out and do something!!!
Jim
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Master mentor #7
Monday – February 4, 2008 – Chapter 6 (Book 2, Chapter 1)
As CS begins another chapter, he begins to draw some conclusions about God and what is different about the God that we find with Christians and what others believe about God. He divides all humanity into two categories: those who believe in God and those who do not. At this point, he calls those who do not the minority. I don’t know if I agree that this is still the minority. Maybe this is a product of the fact that this book is over 50 years old. But maybe not. Secondly, he separates those who believe in God into two categories: those who believe that God is beyond good and evil and those who believe that God is good or righteous. He holds up his argument here.
But I want to go back to something that he said at the beginning of the chapter. CS says that he is going to start off by telling the reader something that all Christians do not believe: that is that all other religions are wrong all the way through. This is a thought that has popped up time and time again in my mind and one that I would resonate with.
This semester I am taking a course on the Muslim religion. A couple of weekends ago, I was sitting in this class in Indianapolis and as I was listening, Dr. Douglas was talking about how most Muslims see Christians (and in some contexts Americans) as irreligious because they never see us pray. But yet, if you asked most people what was one thing that they would recognize about Muslims is that they are required to pray five times a day. As a Christian, there is something a little bit convicting about that. In fact, I would say that it’s very convicting to think that Christians pray very little. But I would say that it would be a fairly accurate thought. Muslims are known for their devotion to prayer (discussion on rote prayers versus heartfelt and spontaneous prayers aside for now). But if a Christian were to begin practicing the habit of going outside or into their church and praying five times a day, most Christians would think that they had lost their mind. But there is still something compelling about their devotion to prayer. And something that should be considered and assimilated into our way of worshipping God. I am betting that it would help my relationship with God a great deal if I were to develop the practice of regular times of prayer.
There are always things that other religions and definitely some within the Christian religion can offer to encourage my relationship with God. For instance, I feel that Protestants (myself included) have a very low view and a very poor practice of the Lord’s Supper (communion or the Eucharist). But you would not make that accusation against a Roman Catholic or Lutheran Church. There is something there for me to learn. I wouldn’t say that I would consider becoming a Catholic or Lutheran for their communion emphasis anymore than I would consider becoming a Muslim for their prayer practice. But again, there is something to be learned there.
I do however agree with that CS says in following up on that thought… “But of course, being a Christian does mean thinking that where Christianity differs from other religions, Christianity is right and they are wrong. As in arithmetic – there is only one right answer to a sum” (pg 43).
Jim
As CS begins another chapter, he begins to draw some conclusions about God and what is different about the God that we find with Christians and what others believe about God. He divides all humanity into two categories: those who believe in God and those who do not. At this point, he calls those who do not the minority. I don’t know if I agree that this is still the minority. Maybe this is a product of the fact that this book is over 50 years old. But maybe not. Secondly, he separates those who believe in God into two categories: those who believe that God is beyond good and evil and those who believe that God is good or righteous. He holds up his argument here.
But I want to go back to something that he said at the beginning of the chapter. CS says that he is going to start off by telling the reader something that all Christians do not believe: that is that all other religions are wrong all the way through. This is a thought that has popped up time and time again in my mind and one that I would resonate with.
This semester I am taking a course on the Muslim religion. A couple of weekends ago, I was sitting in this class in Indianapolis and as I was listening, Dr. Douglas was talking about how most Muslims see Christians (and in some contexts Americans) as irreligious because they never see us pray. But yet, if you asked most people what was one thing that they would recognize about Muslims is that they are required to pray five times a day. As a Christian, there is something a little bit convicting about that. In fact, I would say that it’s very convicting to think that Christians pray very little. But I would say that it would be a fairly accurate thought. Muslims are known for their devotion to prayer (discussion on rote prayers versus heartfelt and spontaneous prayers aside for now). But if a Christian were to begin practicing the habit of going outside or into their church and praying five times a day, most Christians would think that they had lost their mind. But there is still something compelling about their devotion to prayer. And something that should be considered and assimilated into our way of worshipping God. I am betting that it would help my relationship with God a great deal if I were to develop the practice of regular times of prayer.
There are always things that other religions and definitely some within the Christian religion can offer to encourage my relationship with God. For instance, I feel that Protestants (myself included) have a very low view and a very poor practice of the Lord’s Supper (communion or the Eucharist). But you would not make that accusation against a Roman Catholic or Lutheran Church. There is something there for me to learn. I wouldn’t say that I would consider becoming a Catholic or Lutheran for their communion emphasis anymore than I would consider becoming a Muslim for their prayer practice. But again, there is something to be learned there.
I do however agree with that CS says in following up on that thought… “But of course, being a Christian does mean thinking that where Christianity differs from other religions, Christianity is right and they are wrong. As in arithmetic – there is only one right answer to a sum” (pg 43).
Jim
Super Tuesday...
I voted this morning!!!
Today is "Super Tuesday" around the country and here in Illinois too. I swung by on my way out of town for school today and casted my vote in the primary. Who did I vote for???
I'm not telling...
Jim
Today is "Super Tuesday" around the country and here in Illinois too. I swung by on my way out of town for school today and casted my vote in the primary. Who did I vote for???
I'm not telling...
Jim
Monday, February 04, 2008
Marko's in trouble... Biggest Loser Contest
Today officially begins the "Are You a Bigger Loser than Marko" contest through Youth Specialties.
Check out Marko's blog HERE.
Basically the premise is that if you can lose a greater percentage of weight than Mark Oestreicher at Youth Specialties, then you score some sweet YS stuff. If you are the overall weight loser... and there are about 300 of us in it... then you get a free admission to a YS conference this fall.
You'll see this morning's contest start official weight. 259.5. Part of the reason why I jumped in this is that I've got 12 weeks to lose weight. Last May - Sept, I lost 53.5 pounds. That was close to 20% of my body weight. I'm betting that since I haven't been real serious with the diet, I can jump back into shape and lose 35-40 pounds in the next 12 weeks. The only problem is with the weather, I can't really walk consistently. But I might be hitting the Charlestown mall for some indoor walking. Actually... I kinda bulked up a bit over the weekend (don't tell Marko)... but I picked up a few pounds (at a killer Super Bowl Party last night where I ate like a champ) so I can drop them quickly today.
So it's on Marko!!! And I would dare say that you are in trouble!!!
Jim
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Master Mentor #6
Saturday – February 2, 2008 – Chapter 5
I’ll say this again as I said it before, I like the pace of CS’s writing. Here in chapter 5 (of the first section… which this could get very confusing but I’m going to discuss this chapters in order with a simple renumbering so I don’t get lost. After this chapter, CS goes onto book 2 and begins again with chapter 1. For my purposes here in reading this book the way that I am, it will serve me better to call the next chapter 6, which I will.) , CS sums up most of what he has been talking about in the first four chapters (or book 1). He sums it up with there statements:
1. We all want progress, but if we have progressed in the wrong direction, it’s always better to go back to where we made the mistake and begin again.
2. We haven’t gotten as far as God or Christianity yet, but only as far as establishing a “somebody” or “something” behind the Moral Law that we all ascribe to, even if we decide to disobey it from time to time for our personal benefit.
3. Christianity does not make sense until you have discussed the disarray that we find ourselves in as far as having made mistakes and needing to receive forgiveness as it does no one any good to talk of mistakes and forgiveness until you realize you have made mistakes and need forgiveness.
I guess one of the things that I like about this chapter and we’ll see if the trend continues (I suspect that it will) is that CS seems to be presenting this work in a similar fashion to Paul’s explanation of sinfulness and forgiveness in the book of Romans. For Paul, he is telling the Romans that we’ve all messed up (Gentiles (non-Israelites) and Jews alike) and we all need a forgiveness and a Savior (Romans 3:23). CS seems to be moving in a similar logical direction and I didn’t realize it until today.
But he is going slow and that’s good. It is easy in a discussion like this to move too fast and lose people along the way. But CS isn’t doing that and that’s good. In fact, several times in this chapter, he reminds the readers to slow down and not jump to conclusions that he’s not ready to draw. Good stuff.
Jim
I’ll say this again as I said it before, I like the pace of CS’s writing. Here in chapter 5 (of the first section… which this could get very confusing but I’m going to discuss this chapters in order with a simple renumbering so I don’t get lost. After this chapter, CS goes onto book 2 and begins again with chapter 1. For my purposes here in reading this book the way that I am, it will serve me better to call the next chapter 6, which I will.) , CS sums up most of what he has been talking about in the first four chapters (or book 1). He sums it up with there statements:
1. We all want progress, but if we have progressed in the wrong direction, it’s always better to go back to where we made the mistake and begin again.
2. We haven’t gotten as far as God or Christianity yet, but only as far as establishing a “somebody” or “something” behind the Moral Law that we all ascribe to, even if we decide to disobey it from time to time for our personal benefit.
3. Christianity does not make sense until you have discussed the disarray that we find ourselves in as far as having made mistakes and needing to receive forgiveness as it does no one any good to talk of mistakes and forgiveness until you realize you have made mistakes and need forgiveness.
I guess one of the things that I like about this chapter and we’ll see if the trend continues (I suspect that it will) is that CS seems to be presenting this work in a similar fashion to Paul’s explanation of sinfulness and forgiveness in the book of Romans. For Paul, he is telling the Romans that we’ve all messed up (Gentiles (non-Israelites) and Jews alike) and we all need a forgiveness and a Savior (Romans 3:23). CS seems to be moving in a similar logical direction and I didn’t realize it until today.
But he is going slow and that’s good. It is easy in a discussion like this to move too fast and lose people along the way. But CS isn’t doing that and that’s good. In fact, several times in this chapter, he reminds the readers to slow down and not jump to conclusions that he’s not ready to draw. Good stuff.
Jim
Last 5 visitors...
At this point... almost 750 posts and almost 6500 visitors have visited my little blog here. 8 folks have visited today, up to this point. Here are the last 5 visitors:
1. Naperville, Illinois
2. Chicago, Illinois
3. Miami, Florida
4. Newport News, Virginia
5. La Grange Park, Illinois
Keep on checking back!!!
Jim
1. Naperville, Illinois
2. Chicago, Illinois
3. Miami, Florida
4. Newport News, Virginia
5. La Grange Park, Illinois
Keep on checking back!!!
Jim
Post 750!!!
This is officially post 750!!!!
I've reaches another blog benchmark. The next mark will be post 1000 and should be sometime in April at my current pace. I just wanted to post this momentous occasion and celebrate it as it passes.
Jim
I've reaches another blog benchmark. The next mark will be post 1000 and should be sometime in April at my current pace. I just wanted to post this momentous occasion and celebrate it as it passes.
Jim
iPhone takes on a semi!!!???
I saw THIS story this morning on ENGADGET...
An iPhone is left on a truck, falls off, lands on the freeway, even gets run over by a semi and still works!!! That's awesome. Thankfully its not mine... Seems they are a little more resilient than first assumed.
Here's a little snipet from Engadget's article: "Yet that's exactly what Mike Beauchamp's iPhone did after he left it on his trunk and drove off from a gas station -- and the kicker is that just as he was about to run out and grab it, he watched it get run over by a semi truck. Shockingly, the unit still work perfectly, even receiving a call as Mike finally nabbed it. Obviously, it's missing a few chunks and there are some broken pixels, but the touch sensitivity is solid, and it sounds like Mike's been talking to Apple PR about using it in a promo..."
Go iPhone!!!
Jim
Groundhog Day is the stupidest thing...
I don't know about you...
But I've been sitting here on my couch doing some work. The weather channel is on in the background, but it's muted. So, I'm not really watching it. Mostly I'm working. In the last couple of hours, today's happenings from Punxsutawney have flashed by on weather channel a couple of times... which I have seen in it's muted, none voiced-over fashion... and it is the stupidest thing ever.
Watch it on mute sometime.
These old men in top hats in the middle of winter pulling this groundhog (overgrown rat) out of a fake hole in the ground and then holding him up for everyone to see and someone else reading this little scroll that supposedly states that we're going to have more winter.
How absurd!
I'm looking out the window of my apartment at the 8 or 9 inches of snow on the ground and I can tell you that we're going to have more winter. Duh!
Jim
But I've been sitting here on my couch doing some work. The weather channel is on in the background, but it's muted. So, I'm not really watching it. Mostly I'm working. In the last couple of hours, today's happenings from Punxsutawney have flashed by on weather channel a couple of times... which I have seen in it's muted, none voiced-over fashion... and it is the stupidest thing ever.
Watch it on mute sometime.
These old men in top hats in the middle of winter pulling this groundhog (overgrown rat) out of a fake hole in the ground and then holding him up for everyone to see and someone else reading this little scroll that supposedly states that we're going to have more winter.
How absurd!
I'm looking out the window of my apartment at the 8 or 9 inches of snow on the ground and I can tell you that we're going to have more winter. Duh!
Jim
Friday, February 01, 2008
Master Mentor #5
Friday – February 1, 2008 – Chapter 4
In chapter 4, CS does a great job of laying out the two views, which he later corrects as three views, of how the universe came to be. This to me is a fascinating argument that he does incredibly well at. He sets it up as two views… one where things randomly show up by chance… and another where there is a creator behind it. In setting it up, he does so to show that in fact, there is a creator/designer because we have this tendency toward the “moral law,” that thing that causes us to do what is “right” and makes us feel guilty when we do something “wrong.”
But what I really liked most about this chapter is the note at the end. The note states that in this chapter, to keep it short, he only included those two views. But in fact, he recognizes that there are three views… what he calls the “In-Between view.” And this is the view where most people find themselves most of the time. This is the view that takes a little from each side.
On one hand, when things are going great and life is happening the way that it is supposed to happen, its nice to think that there is a “god” or “life force” out there that is carrying you along on the crest of the happenings. But when you want to do something “shabby” (CS’s terminology), since it is only force it doesn’t have any thoughts or feelings and so it won’t disapprove of your behavior like that “troublesome God we learned about when we were children.”
I love the way that he concludes this section: “The Life-Force is a sort of tame God. You can switch it on when you want, but it will not bother you. All the thrills of religion and none of the cost. Is the Life-Force the greatest achievement of wishful thinking the world has seen yet?” (pg. 35). To which I answer ‘YES!’
And we see it all the time in church. Mother’s Day rolls around and it’s a great holiday, but what happens… Mom goes to church and since we’re honoring moms, everyone feels the need to go to church. When many of those who show up haven’t been to church since Easter… which was the last time that they showed up. And previous to that, they were present at Christmas time. It’s this relationship with God that makes them feel good when they show up but that that God doesn’t leave the doors of the church. Its almost like many have the opinion of God that he is an “old nursing home confined grandparent.” You can go and see him when you want… but when you are ready to go home, you just have to walk out the door… He says behind and doesn’t know what you are doing until you come back and see him again… when you are ready of course.
Many in our culture have that opinion. And many students have that same opinion, if they have any opinion about God whatsoever. He is great when things are going great… but when you want to live or act a certain way that you know He wouldn’t approve of, it’s easy to adapt your thinking. And create a God who really doesn’t get it.
But the scary thing for them… although they don’t know it yet… God does get it.
Jim
In chapter 4, CS does a great job of laying out the two views, which he later corrects as three views, of how the universe came to be. This to me is a fascinating argument that he does incredibly well at. He sets it up as two views… one where things randomly show up by chance… and another where there is a creator behind it. In setting it up, he does so to show that in fact, there is a creator/designer because we have this tendency toward the “moral law,” that thing that causes us to do what is “right” and makes us feel guilty when we do something “wrong.”
But what I really liked most about this chapter is the note at the end. The note states that in this chapter, to keep it short, he only included those two views. But in fact, he recognizes that there are three views… what he calls the “In-Between view.” And this is the view where most people find themselves most of the time. This is the view that takes a little from each side.
On one hand, when things are going great and life is happening the way that it is supposed to happen, its nice to think that there is a “god” or “life force” out there that is carrying you along on the crest of the happenings. But when you want to do something “shabby” (CS’s terminology), since it is only force it doesn’t have any thoughts or feelings and so it won’t disapprove of your behavior like that “troublesome God we learned about when we were children.”
I love the way that he concludes this section: “The Life-Force is a sort of tame God. You can switch it on when you want, but it will not bother you. All the thrills of religion and none of the cost. Is the Life-Force the greatest achievement of wishful thinking the world has seen yet?” (pg. 35). To which I answer ‘YES!’
And we see it all the time in church. Mother’s Day rolls around and it’s a great holiday, but what happens… Mom goes to church and since we’re honoring moms, everyone feels the need to go to church. When many of those who show up haven’t been to church since Easter… which was the last time that they showed up. And previous to that, they were present at Christmas time. It’s this relationship with God that makes them feel good when they show up but that that God doesn’t leave the doors of the church. Its almost like many have the opinion of God that he is an “old nursing home confined grandparent.” You can go and see him when you want… but when you are ready to go home, you just have to walk out the door… He says behind and doesn’t know what you are doing until you come back and see him again… when you are ready of course.
Many in our culture have that opinion. And many students have that same opinion, if they have any opinion about God whatsoever. He is great when things are going great… but when you want to live or act a certain way that you know He wouldn’t approve of, it’s easy to adapt your thinking. And create a God who really doesn’t get it.
But the scary thing for them… although they don’t know it yet… God does get it.
Jim
New England Patriots this weekend!!!
So...
I'm going to make it official. I'm calling for the New England Patriots on Sunday over the new york giants. I'm calling it NE by 13 points!!!
NE - 27
NY - 14
So... after Sunday, I can go back and say that I called it first!!!
Go Patriots.
BTW: I'm pulling for the Patriots because I'm pulling for the perfect season. If they win it, then I'll be able to say that I saw history and without expanding the season or the playoffs, no one will ever win more.
Jim
I'm going to make it official. I'm calling for the New England Patriots on Sunday over the new york giants. I'm calling it NE by 13 points!!!
NE - 27
NY - 14
So... after Sunday, I can go back and say that I called it first!!!
Go Patriots.
BTW: I'm pulling for the Patriots because I'm pulling for the perfect season. If they win it, then I'll be able to say that I saw history and without expanding the season or the playoffs, no one will ever win more.
Jim
11.5 inches of snow...
There's no school today in our area... and right now, the crews are working on the parking lot of our apartment. We got slammed last night with snow. I got home about 10 pm... Jackie worked late... I worked late...
When I left the church, there were no roads... only paths. There were drifts around the Cruiser that were over my ankles.
Officially... we've heard... that we got about 11.5 inches.
Craziness!!!
Jim
When I left the church, there were no roads... only paths. There were drifts around the Cruiser that were over my ankles.
Officially... we've heard... that we got about 11.5 inches.
Craziness!!!
Jim
Church growth and a cup of Starbucks...
I have a bit of a different perspective on Starbucks... considering my wife works at one. And I have to admit, if you were to read through my blog, you would find that I love Starbucks. I especially love that Apple (iTunes) and Starbucks have teamed up for some things. I just think it's cool... and my wife is tired of hearing about it.
Well, last year Starbucks did something really dumb. They started trying to compete with McDonalds!!! You know, double quarter pounders, Ronald McDonald and bacon, egg and cheese biscuits. Instantly I recognized it as a church growth principle that we've talked about several times before, but I wanted to wait until the numbers were in...
Well, the numbers are in...
Starbucks stock is falling (40%... I know, we have some)...
Sales are struggling...
Stores are closing (100 low performing stores)...
Why? Starbucks isn't Starbucks anymore.
Two articles (HERE and HERE) came out yesterday in the New York Times and a customer actually passed them along to my wife. And as I read them that statement kept coming back to me over and over and over... Even though it never said it in the article, the idea was that Starbucks wasn't Starbucks anymore. It had changed and become something different.
In an effort to get things turned around, Starbucks is bringing back Howard Schultz who lead the country from 1987 - 2000. The first couple of paragraphs of one of the articles tells the story... in my opinion... check it out:
"As part of a turnaround plan, the beleaguered coffee giant said Wednesday that it would discontinue warm breakfast sandwiches at its stores and focus instead on healthy breakfast options and high-quality baked goods.
“In short, the scent of the warm sandwiches interferes with the coffee aroma in our stores,” said Howard D. Schultz, the company’s chairman and chief executive."
When you walk into a Starbucks, it smells like McDonalds... not coffee. And they are exactly right. It smells like sandwiches because they started selling sandwiches. Why?
-Trying to compete with a McDonalds.
Now, you might say, that's just a coincidence... But it's not. Recently the Starbucks stores in our area started opening a half an hour earlier... 5 am... why, you ask???
-Because it seems that McDonalds down the road does (in my opinion).
Here's another short snipet: "Mr. Schultz has said he wants to refocus on the “customer experience,” recapturing some of the magic of the chain’s early years, when employees — who had heard the term barista before Starbucks came along? — made the drinks by hand and customers were excited by top-notch coffee.
"Mr. Schultz faces a difficult task: He has to slow down the company to make stores feel more like hip neighborhood coffeehouses while also delivering the steady growth that investors have come to expect from Starbucks."
Now, I love Starbucks (I'm sipping on some home ground stuff right now...). I love to go to Starbucks... it's one of my favorite offices away from the office, but I have to admit, there are some problems with the stores.
So... what's the church growth aspect of things in this article?
Simple... two things:
1. Churches need to focus on those who are coming in their doors and those who may come in their doors.
2. Churches need to do what they do best and not worry about what everyone else is doing.
What always seems to happen in churches is that churches develop something that they are known for... AWANA... Students... Children's... College... Great worship... Powerful preaching... and they do it and do it well and people come for what is done well. But then that church notices that another church down the road is doing something different well. So they begin to adapt their programming to meet the competition of the other church. Rather than continuing to focus on what they are doing.
It's like a "Pizza Hut" looking across the street at "McDonalds" and saying, "Hey, we can make cheeseburgers too!!" Then in that situation, they take a location that makes pretty good pizza and they ruin it because they start tying to sell cheeseburgers. Or if "KFC" should look across the street at "Pizza Hut" and say, "Hey, we can make pizzas too!!" Then they take a place that is known for chicken and mess it up by trying to cook pizzas. Or if "Starbucks" should look across the street at "McDonalds" and say: "Hey, we can serve breakfast sandwiches too!!" In the end, everyone loses. Because we don't have any place that makes good burgers, pizzas, chicken or coffee. (Not that McDonalds, KFC or Pizza Hut actually make that great of stuff... but you get the picture...)
One of the problems with the scenario is this: Churches have begun or have always seen since the Reformation movement (16th and 17th centuries), the church across the street as competition rather than companions in Kingdom work. We see the baptist church... the community church... the presbyterian church... as someone that we need to run out of business rather than someone that we should celebrate and partner with in working for the Kingdom of God. (Differences in opinions and theology aside at the moment.) There is a church... Millcreek Baptist Church... being built about a mile down the road from FVCC. Is that church God's church or competition?
When a church tries to do something outside of its nature and tries to provide something inconsistent with its identity and mission, everyone loses. The church loses its way. The people lose what they have found at that church. The staff at that church lose their passion because they are doing something outside of their giftedness. God loses because that church isn't doing what He put it there to do.
Seems simple enough:
People like coffee... Starbucks has good coffee... Sell coffee.
People like things done well... Churches do certain things well... Keep doing things well.
Simple, but hard to stick with.
Jim
Well, last year Starbucks did something really dumb. They started trying to compete with McDonalds!!! You know, double quarter pounders, Ronald McDonald and bacon, egg and cheese biscuits. Instantly I recognized it as a church growth principle that we've talked about several times before, but I wanted to wait until the numbers were in...
Well, the numbers are in...
Starbucks stock is falling (40%... I know, we have some)...
Sales are struggling...
Stores are closing (100 low performing stores)...
Why? Starbucks isn't Starbucks anymore.
Two articles (HERE and HERE) came out yesterday in the New York Times and a customer actually passed them along to my wife. And as I read them that statement kept coming back to me over and over and over... Even though it never said it in the article, the idea was that Starbucks wasn't Starbucks anymore. It had changed and become something different.
In an effort to get things turned around, Starbucks is bringing back Howard Schultz who lead the country from 1987 - 2000. The first couple of paragraphs of one of the articles tells the story... in my opinion... check it out:
"As part of a turnaround plan, the beleaguered coffee giant said Wednesday that it would discontinue warm breakfast sandwiches at its stores and focus instead on healthy breakfast options and high-quality baked goods.
“In short, the scent of the warm sandwiches interferes with the coffee aroma in our stores,” said Howard D. Schultz, the company’s chairman and chief executive."
When you walk into a Starbucks, it smells like McDonalds... not coffee. And they are exactly right. It smells like sandwiches because they started selling sandwiches. Why?
-Trying to compete with a McDonalds.
Now, you might say, that's just a coincidence... But it's not. Recently the Starbucks stores in our area started opening a half an hour earlier... 5 am... why, you ask???
-Because it seems that McDonalds down the road does (in my opinion).
Here's another short snipet: "Mr. Schultz has said he wants to refocus on the “customer experience,” recapturing some of the magic of the chain’s early years, when employees — who had heard the term barista before Starbucks came along? — made the drinks by hand and customers were excited by top-notch coffee.
"Mr. Schultz faces a difficult task: He has to slow down the company to make stores feel more like hip neighborhood coffeehouses while also delivering the steady growth that investors have come to expect from Starbucks."
Now, I love Starbucks (I'm sipping on some home ground stuff right now...). I love to go to Starbucks... it's one of my favorite offices away from the office, but I have to admit, there are some problems with the stores.
So... what's the church growth aspect of things in this article?
Simple... two things:
1. Churches need to focus on those who are coming in their doors and those who may come in their doors.
2. Churches need to do what they do best and not worry about what everyone else is doing.
What always seems to happen in churches is that churches develop something that they are known for... AWANA... Students... Children's... College... Great worship... Powerful preaching... and they do it and do it well and people come for what is done well. But then that church notices that another church down the road is doing something different well. So they begin to adapt their programming to meet the competition of the other church. Rather than continuing to focus on what they are doing.
It's like a "Pizza Hut" looking across the street at "McDonalds" and saying, "Hey, we can make cheeseburgers too!!" Then in that situation, they take a location that makes pretty good pizza and they ruin it because they start tying to sell cheeseburgers. Or if "KFC" should look across the street at "Pizza Hut" and say, "Hey, we can make pizzas too!!" Then they take a place that is known for chicken and mess it up by trying to cook pizzas. Or if "Starbucks" should look across the street at "McDonalds" and say: "Hey, we can serve breakfast sandwiches too!!" In the end, everyone loses. Because we don't have any place that makes good burgers, pizzas, chicken or coffee. (Not that McDonalds, KFC or Pizza Hut actually make that great of stuff... but you get the picture...)
One of the problems with the scenario is this: Churches have begun or have always seen since the Reformation movement (16th and 17th centuries), the church across the street as competition rather than companions in Kingdom work. We see the baptist church... the community church... the presbyterian church... as someone that we need to run out of business rather than someone that we should celebrate and partner with in working for the Kingdom of God. (Differences in opinions and theology aside at the moment.) There is a church... Millcreek Baptist Church... being built about a mile down the road from FVCC. Is that church God's church or competition?
When a church tries to do something outside of its nature and tries to provide something inconsistent with its identity and mission, everyone loses. The church loses its way. The people lose what they have found at that church. The staff at that church lose their passion because they are doing something outside of their giftedness. God loses because that church isn't doing what He put it there to do.
Seems simple enough:
People like coffee... Starbucks has good coffee... Sell coffee.
People like things done well... Churches do certain things well... Keep doing things well.
Simple, but hard to stick with.
Jim
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Master Mentor #4
This morning, I participated in my normal Thursday morning men’s small group. We’ve been talking about the Sermon on the Mount. Part of the discussion has been that Jesus expects us to live by the heart in terms of our relationship with God rather than just living by the actions… the difference between acting like we love our neighbors and actually loving our enemies and praying for them for example. Maybe I should have read my CS Lewis for today. In chapter 3, CS says that “men ought to be unselfish, ought to be fair. Not that men are unselfish, nor that they like being unselfish, but that they ought to be” (pg 30). As I read that, I thought about what we’ve been reading from the Sermon on the Mount.
Part of Jesus’ discussion with his hears was the idea that they had the Torah behind their relationship with God. So rather than forgiving and loving their enemies, they had been commanded not to murder. And they followed that commandment, lest they receive punishment. But that didn’t stop them from hating their enemies or calling them “fools.” But Jesus told them that they should have the kind of attitude in their hearts that would prompt them toward the spirit of the idea without the legalism of following the actual law. So rather than worrying about whether or not they were murdering others, they should worry about whether or not they were angry with their brothers (which could lead to murder) or they called their brothers a “fool” (which could also lead to murder in some situations).
In this chapter, CS is setting up that there is a form of expected behavior… something outside of ourselves that has set up some kind of standard that we are expected to adhere to. And he’s right. In this chapter he uses the illustration of having a seat on the train (page 29) and someone stealing it. There’s nothing wrong with someone sitting in that seat if they arrived there first. And there is no mistreatment assumed. But if while the sitter gets up for a second, someone jumps in behind them, moves their bag and takes their seat there is mistreatment assumed. While the result is the same in both situations, the second person is considered a “jerk.” And most people, except possibly the person who “stole” the seat in the second situation, would conclude that this person is a “jerk.” While we may come to a different name conclusion other than “jerk,” most of us would arrive at that conclusion.
And CS asks why. And he is exactly correct when he answers the question by saying “it begins to look as if we shall have to admit that there is more than one kind of reality; that, in this particular case, there is something above and beyond the ordinary facts of men’s behavior, and yet quite definitely real – a real law, which none of us made, but which we find pressing on us” (pg 30).
There is something above and beyond ourselves which sets up a standard that all of us would agree upon, unless for some personal convenience it would pay us to act otherwise, that helps direct our behavior.
Jim
Part of Jesus’ discussion with his hears was the idea that they had the Torah behind their relationship with God. So rather than forgiving and loving their enemies, they had been commanded not to murder. And they followed that commandment, lest they receive punishment. But that didn’t stop them from hating their enemies or calling them “fools.” But Jesus told them that they should have the kind of attitude in their hearts that would prompt them toward the spirit of the idea without the legalism of following the actual law. So rather than worrying about whether or not they were murdering others, they should worry about whether or not they were angry with their brothers (which could lead to murder) or they called their brothers a “fool” (which could also lead to murder in some situations).
In this chapter, CS is setting up that there is a form of expected behavior… something outside of ourselves that has set up some kind of standard that we are expected to adhere to. And he’s right. In this chapter he uses the illustration of having a seat on the train (page 29) and someone stealing it. There’s nothing wrong with someone sitting in that seat if they arrived there first. And there is no mistreatment assumed. But if while the sitter gets up for a second, someone jumps in behind them, moves their bag and takes their seat there is mistreatment assumed. While the result is the same in both situations, the second person is considered a “jerk.” And most people, except possibly the person who “stole” the seat in the second situation, would conclude that this person is a “jerk.” While we may come to a different name conclusion other than “jerk,” most of us would arrive at that conclusion.
And CS asks why. And he is exactly correct when he answers the question by saying “it begins to look as if we shall have to admit that there is more than one kind of reality; that, in this particular case, there is something above and beyond the ordinary facts of men’s behavior, and yet quite definitely real – a real law, which none of us made, but which we find pressing on us” (pg 30).
There is something above and beyond ourselves which sets up a standard that all of us would agree upon, unless for some personal convenience it would pay us to act otherwise, that helps direct our behavior.
Jim
3 Days Randomness...
So I thought I would throw out a few random things about the last few days for those of you who get your "Jim News" here...
-School was interesting on Tuesday... mostly because when I went into class at 12:45 pm, it was 56 degrees... and when I came out at 3:00 pm, it was 27 degrees... with a thunderstorm in the middle.
-We had to spend the night Tuesday night at a Best Western in Bloomington because the wind/snowstorm that followed the temp change was too much. The snow was awful. The stay was nice... but we didn't have anything to stay the night... no personal toiletries, clothes to change into, etc... so that was a struggle.
-We have found Jackie a car. Al and Pauline, Jackie's dad and mom, are selling us their 2004 Chrysler Sebring (coupe). I've got to fly to Pittsburgh and pick it up next Friday (Feb 8).
-I'm at Panera Bread (still... at 8:27 am) from Bible Study this morning... This morning getting up sucked! And I actually got up about 20 minutes late... So much for getting up before my alarm (see HERE).
-Not having new television to watch on Thursday nights stinks. And I'm kinda getting tired of it. Good thing Survivor starts again in 7 days. I wish they would get over this strike thing. I'm kinda missing my 24. I may start and watch last season again (Blockbuster) because I'm going through Jack Bauer withdraws).
-We're supposed to get about 4-6 inches of snow tonight.
Well... I think that's enough. I need to catch up on my C.S. Lewis reading (thanks Nate for your comment... I bookmarked that work and will spend some time with it in the future).
Jim
-School was interesting on Tuesday... mostly because when I went into class at 12:45 pm, it was 56 degrees... and when I came out at 3:00 pm, it was 27 degrees... with a thunderstorm in the middle.
-We had to spend the night Tuesday night at a Best Western in Bloomington because the wind/snowstorm that followed the temp change was too much. The snow was awful. The stay was nice... but we didn't have anything to stay the night... no personal toiletries, clothes to change into, etc... so that was a struggle.
-We have found Jackie a car. Al and Pauline, Jackie's dad and mom, are selling us their 2004 Chrysler Sebring (coupe). I've got to fly to Pittsburgh and pick it up next Friday (Feb 8).
-I'm at Panera Bread (still... at 8:27 am) from Bible Study this morning... This morning getting up sucked! And I actually got up about 20 minutes late... So much for getting up before my alarm (see HERE).
-Not having new television to watch on Thursday nights stinks. And I'm kinda getting tired of it. Good thing Survivor starts again in 7 days. I wish they would get over this strike thing. I'm kinda missing my 24. I may start and watch last season again (Blockbuster) because I'm going through Jack Bauer withdraws).
-We're supposed to get about 4-6 inches of snow tonight.
Well... I think that's enough. I need to catch up on my C.S. Lewis reading (thanks Nate for your comment... I bookmarked that work and will spend some time with it in the future).
Jim
I'm back...
It's been several days since I've blogged... I just haven't felt like blogging. Losing Spot has been difficult and all the things over the last few days that I've thought about blogging just didn't seem to follow my previous blog about her. But I guess in many ways, you come to a point in time where you have to make the decision to move on or stay stuck in one place. And I guess today is the day.
In fact, it surprised me a bit, but I walked into Petsmart last night. Mostly out of a desire to look into the eyes of another cat and consider whether or not he or she could come home with me. I didn't stay for very long... not because I couldn't handle it... but because I was afraid I might just pick one out and I didn't want to do that without Jackie. But I didn't feel the way that I thought I would feel. Instead of feeling terribly sad and depressed, I felt optimistic and curious. I've only had 1 cat... Spot... and I began to think about what it would be like to meet and get to know the cats that I was petting through the cages... Erin and Zelda...
So we'll see...
But I have been encouraged over the last few days. I've had several people who have offered the same condolences... people who felt they needed to say something about it even if they didn't understand it or care about... and those people are pretty phony and easily recognizable. But I've had several good conversations with people who really did get it. I've shared some of my favorite Spot stories (the closet story... the policeman story... and several others) and I've felt good about it. So, to those of you who I have talked to over the last few days and you've got it, thanks. I appreciate your time and concern and your ability to listen.
Jim
In fact, it surprised me a bit, but I walked into Petsmart last night. Mostly out of a desire to look into the eyes of another cat and consider whether or not he or she could come home with me. I didn't stay for very long... not because I couldn't handle it... but because I was afraid I might just pick one out and I didn't want to do that without Jackie. But I didn't feel the way that I thought I would feel. Instead of feeling terribly sad and depressed, I felt optimistic and curious. I've only had 1 cat... Spot... and I began to think about what it would be like to meet and get to know the cats that I was petting through the cages... Erin and Zelda...
So we'll see...
But I have been encouraged over the last few days. I've had several people who have offered the same condolences... people who felt they needed to say something about it even if they didn't understand it or care about... and those people are pretty phony and easily recognizable. But I've had several good conversations with people who really did get it. I've shared some of my favorite Spot stories (the closet story... the policeman story... and several others) and I've felt good about it. So, to those of you who I have talked to over the last few days and you've got it, thanks. I appreciate your time and concern and your ability to listen.
Jim
Monday, January 28, 2008
I'm ready for my life to stop sucking!
The last 2 weeks have sucked.
And I'm ready for it to stop.
A couple of weeks ago, Jackie's car broke down for the last time. Then, my Cruiser spent a week in the shop getting worked on.
Finally, Saturday night/Sunday morning we had to make the tough decision to have our cat Spot put down. She was 11 years old. She had had a collapsed lung since I got her from the pound 8 years ago. In fact, I knew Spot before I knew Jackie and Spot had been a partner in ministry (literally... as the parade
of kids through the years have come through our house and apartment) since 3 weeks after I began in 2000. But she had been struggling and the vet after taking an Xray thought it was best not to put her through all of that.It's sucks. It's been hard. I've cried more in the last 48 hours than I remember crying ever.
It's been hard. I expect to get up from the couch and see her sleeping in front of the door into the kitchen (one of her favorite spots (no pun intended) because the furnace is right there and it's warm). I thought this morning that she would be laying there... which is where she always was in the mornings... or behind the blinds looking outside... when I got up and went for coffee. But she wasn't. I expected that when I
pulled back the shower curtain that she would be laying on the hamper, which she usually was. But she wasn't. I expected her to jump up onto the bed and lay down on her blanket at the bottom (just like she's done for 8 years) and then just before I got to sleep, she'd jump down. But the last 48 hours were tough for her. The vet seemed to think that her diaphragm had ruptured. So she was having a tough time breathing and wasn't eating. It was hard on us to have to make the decision. But when Jackie got home from Starbucks, we knew that it wasn't fair to her. So we made the decision to do what was hard... but best. And in the end, I think that if she could speak I think that she would say, "Thanks." Thanks for saving me from the pound. Thanks for gviing me a home and love for 8 years. And thanks for doing what was best for me.
Jim
Friday, January 25, 2008
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