Wal Mart

Maybe the Church Should Become a Little More Like Wal-Mart…

What is the price or value of a soul?
$215,000.

That’s the price that Wal-mart has put on each of their customers. I got this email today that talked about a documentary on CNBC about the inner workings of Wal-mart. It was a very interesting program. One of the main things that stood out to me is that Wal-mart has done extensive research into their business.

If, for example, I go into my local Wal-mart store and get bad service; can’t find what I need; have to wait in the checkout line too long; or anything else that really makes me upset, Wal-mart knows that they have a lot to lose.

In fact, they’ve calculated the value of what I’m worth to them. If I get mad at Wal-mart and never return, I have just cost the company (on average) $215,000. That’s how much sales they have figured they will lose from the average customer over their lifetime if they don’t come back...

Wal-mart puts a high value on me and every other person and family in my community.
Many churches, on the other hand, seemingly couldn’t care less about the people in their community. Sure, we give them lip service, but when it really comes down to reaching our target, many of us are too busy arguing about carpet color, worship styles, and how much to ‘give’ to missions in Africa, all the while missing the main point of reaching our own community for Christ.

Wal-mart provides diapers and socks and hemorrhoid cream for a profit.
The church offers eternal life and salvation for free.
Shouldn’t our communities know we value them at least as much as Wal-mart?

FOR DISCUSSION: Here’s today’s questions for you:

Does your church value people more than Wal-mart? --If so, what does that look like in your community? --

Who is better at reaching their audience in your community? Your church or Wal-mart?

Does your church even have a specific target audience?

Does your church have a specific plan to reach that audience? --If your church shut down today, would your community notice? And if they noticed, would they care? --

What is your church offering your community that no one else can or does?

Facebook

Just updated my facebook page with a bunch of new pics!

Relationship Building

Sunday Night our High Schoolers met at a local park for a picnic! We had so much fun. Students were playing Ultimate Frisbee, Football, Volleyball, & Cornhole.

The best part of the night was the last hour were a lot of just sat around telling stories and or jokes and chillin. That was were the relationship building took place. It's awesome to see that dynamic happen when it's unplanned. The best moments in life are that way I think.

By the way, a cool dad moment happened too! When I was playing football, my son Gabe was watching and I caught a sweet pass for TD. It's always fun to play and it's cool to win but it's an indescribable feeling to see your son smile at you like you're the best dad in the world.

And our football team won the game and afterwards I jogged two miles home. Just bragging!

Philadelphia

I'm in Philly! Blogging from the roof of a five story home in Philadelphia.

A group of 10 of us left this morning for a week to work with Highway Tabernacle A/G in downtown Philly. There is such excitement among our group as we are working with about 130 kids from the neighborhood. My students will be trained in how to lead and organize different projects as well as take part in a few work projects.

Highway Tabernacle is such an incredible landmark. It was built in 1850 and is the 2nd oldest A/G church. Think about that...in was the 2nd A/G church started in America. It is so humbling to be walking around the church and just spending time with God.

I can only imagine the incredible services that have happened in this church over the past 150 years. I hope to have have a few this week!

Feedback

I got some great feedback from our youth service last night. A few highlights, a few insights - and thankfully no lowlights. The feedback was good and timely and allowed me to view our ministry to high school students from someone else's perspective.

There's a proverb that says, "as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." I love that verse! Feedback is a form of sharpening. It's allowing someone to invest into your life with information that can potentially help you in your life, career, or relationships.

I am a sponge when it comes to feedback. I like to get it so I'm able to process what the person said and apply it to what needs corrected.

Sadly, a lot of people hate feedback. They get defensive (I used to), judgemental (I used to), and in a bad mood (OK, sometimes I still do) when they get constructive or negative feedback.

I have learned to appreciate feedback b/c the person giving you the feedback has taken the time to evaluate your performance or attitude in a given situation and is willing to help you grow and get better at your job or in your relationships.

I have learned that I also need to ask for feedback. Asking for it implies I want to get better.

So have you recieved any feedback lately?

Bad Dreams

My youngest daughter, Emma, who is 5 has been having a 'really bad dreams,' the past few nights. She will wake up crying and it breaks my mine and my wife's heart to hear her talk about her 'really bad dreams.'

It's during these moments that we really depend on God's direction and wisdom.

We wanted to be proactive and introduce a few spirtual practices she can do herself. I don't believe you are ever too young to learn about God. With that being said, we have begun to teach her Psalm 4:8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
As well as setting up a CD player with Praise & Worship and praying WITH her before she goes to bed.

I want Emma to see her parents look to God for help in times of need instead of just trying to talk our ways out of a situation.

In life we often go to God as a last resort and wonder why things have gotten to out of control.

I know Emma may still have a bad dream here and there but she'll know that God is with her and her parents are trusting God for the quality and direction of her life.