June 2008 was the worst month on Wall Street since the Great Depression. Gas prices went up on my street again today.  The past few weeks, even in my city where the economy seems less impacted than the national economy, the stores have seemed less full and people seem to be buying less.  I’ve been predicting a Fall turnaround in the economy, but I’m beginning to wonder if we have bottomed out so we can start going up again?   

Economists today can’t agree about what a recession actually even is these days.  When I was a business student a recession was two consecutive quarters of decline in (GDP) gross domestic product.  Any other answer would have been wrong on a test.  I honestly think today that for some economists recession is more decided by perception rather than reality.   

So, here’s my theory.  We have scared ourselves into much of the negative economic news we are experiencing.  Of course the housing market needs correction.  Obviously we are having to adjust to new levels of oil supply and demand pricing.  Some of these corrections were natural reactions to the fluent economy we have enjoyed for a couple of decades.  

I think we have allowed the continued negative outlook on the economy by the national media to impact the way we live our lives even if our lives have been barely impacted by the change in the national economy.  I believe that if we could get a little positive information injected into the economy, such as the number of people who still have jobs, people will begin to have a better perception about their own personal economy and therefore the economists who are crying recession could start shouting economic growth. 

I know it sounds elementary, but I’m not so sure that’s not how we are determining economic strength these days, so why not give it a try? 

News that Wal Mart, the world’s largest retailer, is giving itself a new image via its logo fascinates me.  From what I’ve been able to tell online the new logo isn’t much different than the last, but to logo experts, I guess it’s a pretty big deal.  The bigger deal for me is that they are changing it at all.  They remain Wal Mart.  The giant, mega-sized corporation that no one seems to be able to fully compete with doesn’t appear to need the help of a more modern symbol to represent its supremacy.  Or does it? 

The king of retail has faced challenges on numerous fronts in recent years from employee lawsuits and threats of unionizing to more challenges than ever to locating in certain areas.  Some don’t want the giant retailer in their neighborhood, and, not accustomed to being told no, Wal Mart is now losing the battle in some communities they have tried to enter.  Reports also indicate that Wal Mart hired an outside public relations firm several years ago to look at ways to improve their image among workers and consumers.  Perhaps this new logo is a product of their work. 

As a church leader, I think this teaches me more than just to be looking for a new symbol when I need bargain toilet paper (or whatever else I need).  I think it reminds me that if Wal Mart must continually evaluate things as simple as logos (really not so simple), then surely we do in the church. 

So, consider these questions: What does your organizations current logo say about you? Is it still saying what you intend it to say?  Does it adequately communicate your vision?  Is it warm, inviting and reflective of the organization you are today?  Is it time for a change?  More importantly, what about the image of your organization that your logo represents?  Could it use an overhaul?  Finally, and this is a hard question, if a fancy PR firm, the kind only Wal Mart could afford, told you that people think you stink, do you believe in success enough to humble yourself and change?   

Starbucks Howard Schultz is back in charge at Starbucks.  He tried to leave and came back earlier this year to attempt to reverse the suffering the company is experiencing.  Dell’s Michael recently returned to help steer Dell back to health.  Other companies, who have founder with lesser known names, have recently seen their founding fathers return to the helm of leadership.  Take a look at companies like Sun Microsystems, Novell, and Vonage who have seen their founders return. 

Bill Gates, who needs no introduction to the world, spent his last day as CEO of Microsoft yesterday.  His teary departure to lead the Gates Foundation has been much anticipated and is noble considering the difference he hopes to now make in the world. The question is will he be able to enjoy “retirement” or will he be needed again at Microsoft’s top spot?   The answer to that question remains to be seen.

I have a theory that companies today will face this dilemma more than companies founded in years past.  Could it be that because companies today begin with such an imprint of their founder in their DNA that it is becoming more difficult to pass the reigns of the top spot to another person?   Study Starbucks and you have to study Howard Schultz. (He even wrote a book about it.)  Look at Dell computers and you see Michael Dell all over the company philosophy. (Even in the name!)  Companies today are very much an impression of their founders.  Google’s corporate “fun” environment IS Larry Page.  Every time I’ve heard Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, interviewed he describes the social network with a passion that only a founder could exhibit.  

Companies are launching into their niche faster than ever before.  The information age and technology allows for growth at a pace unknown in previous generations.  Much of that growth is a direct reflection on the personality and passions of the founder who is seen in the public as the chief representative of the company.  I’m not sure this has always been the case. 

As we consider this phenomenon within corporate America, I can’t help but wonder if there are implications here for churches as well.  Doesn’t Northpoint have the personality of Andy Stanley?  Lifepoint certainlyembodies the imprint of Craig Groeschel.  The same is true for Fellowship’s Ed Young, Jr.  You can add your own to this list.  What will happen when these leaders attempt to retire?  Will we see them return as corporate founders have had to do?  Again, the answer to that question remains to be seen.

This thought process does make me consider a few things organizations may want to consider in their beginning years:     

1.      Organizations must be thinking transition from the founding of the organization.

2.      Organizations must be careful not to elevate people or personalities over vision.

3.      Organization may want consider easing a leader out gradually, rather than allowing a fast exit of the founder.

Lt. Col. Randal Nelson assumed the command of the Group Support Battalion today.  The ceremony was held at Gabriel Field, 3200 Block of Indiana at Ft. Campbell, KY.  If that sounds official, it’s because it is.

Randy, as we know him, and Celeste are in our community group that meets each Wednesday night.  Cheryl and I have grown to love them.  They are great people.  Randy is a great soldier.  Today our group was invited to be his guests as he assumed a new position with the military.  I found myself fighting tears of patriotism as I watched the ceremony.  Standing before me were some of the bravest men and women in our country.   Of course they represent the thousands of others, many who are currently separated from their families, who defend my right to do what I do each day. 

When I think of the persecution of believers around the world I am ever more thankful to be in a country where liberty is defended at any cost.  Sunday I’m preaching on Esther, a Biblical character who was willing to put her life on the line for the cost of freedom.  Today I saw a visual reminder that people do that every day.   

God bless our troops and their families. 

I read lots of business magazines and blogs.  I find it helps me with my own management skills.  I also believe the Bible teaches us some great leadership principles.  Unless you have lived under a rock then you know that today’s workplace is changing. The “new” generation of workers is more value-centered.  Through my conversation with business leaders, what I have read and what I have personally observed this new generation of workers love time at home more than time in the office.  They value a company that cares for the environment.  They want benefits as well as pay.  Fairness and honesty in the way they are treated is of utmost importance to them. They want immediate responsibility and authority in their area.  They want to dress comfortably and they don’t expect to do what they are doing forever.  Finally, they want to enjoy what they do and have a deep sense of purpose in their work.  It’s not that those values weren’t present 20 years ago, but today they are critical to finding and keeping good people. 

As I lead and help others do so I’m sometimes faced with a dilemma.  What is the balance between creating the “fun”; new values-centered workplace and the need to get a job done well?  When do I need to become the “bad guy” leader who pushes for excellence and for quantity of work as well as quality, without really being labeled the bad guy?  Because this generation will not work long or well for bad guys. 

It seems to me that learning where the lines are, hiring the right people in the first place (of course), and operating with a great Jesus principle of grace and truth, is going to be a key to leading this next generation.  If we want to obtain the energy and creative minds of youth then we must learn to manage them well. 

I’m praying that I will grow in those skills so I can help others do likewise and I’m once again reminded how much I can learn from Jesus!

This is such a friendler post than what I started writing yesterday on this subject. Thank you God for time to think through commenting. I do have a question though about a denomination that I’ve been a part of since birth:

Are the Southern Baptist, by their passing of the resolution “On Regenerate Church Membership and Church Member Restoration” claiming that all the 10 million missing people from their membership rolls are in need of discipline?  You can read the resolution here: http://www.bpnews.net/blog/article.asp?id=176.  It passed at the denomination’s convention earlier this month. 

If so, I have a problem with that. My suspicion is that not everyone understands or even agrees with the system of record keeping Southern Baptist hold so dear.  In our military town, for example, people move away, join a church that doesn’t request “letters”, and never think to notify the sending church.  Are they living in sin because of an oversight in record keeping? 

I know that’s not the intent of this resolution.  Hopefully it is incredibly well-meaning to make sure disciples are being made in keeping with the teachings of Christ, but perception says otherwise, and, as I have learned in church planting trying to reach lost people, perception carries a lot of weight with the unchurched/unsaved world. 

I think the proper response may be to follow up with those “misplaced” members, find out where they are in their walk with Christ, and if necessary, adjust the churches records.  If discipline is needed then it can be addressed then.  I would suggest starting with the “love others” approach first.

Just a suggestion. 

Have you ever read something and wish you hadn’t?  That just happened to me.  While researching for message prep I stumbled on this blog post.  It’s not “new” information, just compiled in a way I haven’t seen; all in one neat, tidy, sobering place.  What to make of it?  Not sure yet.  I’m still processing it all. 

Check out what stirred my thoughts this morning at: http://faithwalk.wordpress.com/startling-statistics/

I like these quotes and observations from Fortune Magazine’s article on America’s Most Admired Companies: (March 17, 2008) My question in reading these snipets about each company is what can the church learn from corporate America, especially successful corporate America?  You make your own conclusions, but to me some of the applications are very obvious.

Berkshire Hathaway

Said of Warren Buffet’s success: His key to turning today’s problems into tomorrow’s profits: “An absence of any regard for short-term results”

Google

Google’s philosophy:  Google believes “what’s good for the web has always proven to be very good for Google.”

(That sounds like a Kingdom principle many churches should learn.)

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson responded to the uncertainty in the health-care markets by “narrowing their focus”.

Goldman Sachs

The company posted record profits in 2007, in a year when Wall Street was struggling to hold their own.  Reason: “Its results are a testament to its culture, and impossible-to-replicate mix of extreme aggression, deep paranoia, individual ambition, and robot-like teamwork.”

Target

In a year when retail sales were in a slump, including at this retailer, they continued their tradition of giving away $3 million a week back to the community.

UPS

The company may be 100 years old (I had no idea), but they act much younger. They are known for their “ability to combine cutting-edge technology with its own brand of ‘human engineering’ to great effect.”

3M

Known for being a mega-sized company ($24 billion a year), but still managing to generate new ideas each year.  William McKnight, Chairman, says, “Management that is destructively critical when mistakes are made kills initiative.  And it’s essential that we have many people with initiative if we are to continue to grow.” The moral, according to Fortune, “Don’t tell employees how to do their jobs — let them innovate. “

I don’t know about you, but there are lessons here for me.  Thanks Fortune for a great article.

Which comment jumps out at you most from this list?

Obviously the world is changing at rapid pace. The technological age has made the world faster, smaller, thinner, bolder, sexier, and more complex.  We have more options, but with those advances come more challenges.  This morning our server was down and one would have thought the sky had fallen. Last week I left my Blackberry at my office when I ran out to a meeting.  I was miserable, unproductive and moody at that meeting. (Sorry guys.)  Our worlds often center around technology.  What would we do without it?  It helps us do our work so much more efficiently, yet it’s also sometimes a stumbling block to real success in the areas of our life that matter to God (and hopefully us) most.

Our family minister, Michael Bayne, shared a story with me today that quickly put things into perspective.  Apparently his 2 year old daughter finds it funny to hide his Mp3 player.  He freaks on her, because he loves his music, but she thinks it’s funny.  Instantly I smelled a rat in this picture.  Could his 2 year old be crying out “Pick me, Pick me” over this piece of technology?  Granted, Michael Bayne is one of the most attentive, loving, great dads I know, but sometimes a 2 year old can be used to teach us some valuable lessons. 

So, here’s a question for us all…

Is your technology more important than the personal, God-given, relationships you have?     If you had to give up one or the other for a night, which would it be?  (Be honest.) 

Now having answers those questions (with correct answers obviously because we couldn’t admit otherwise, could we?), the next question is rather clear:

Is that answer reflected in the way you are currently living your life? 

Ouch! 

Can you tell me what product goes with these slogans? 

• M’m, M’m, Good!
• It’s the Real Thing…
• It takes a licking, and keeps on ticking. 
• Plop plop, fizz fizz, oh what a relief it is!
• The best part of waking up is ______ in your cup.
• The milk chocolate melts in your mouth-not in your hand…
• You’re in good hands with _______.
• Don’t leave home without it.
• Let your fingers do the walking.

How did you do?  Could you name them all?  I suspect you were pretty close. Most of these slogans have been around a large part of my life, but even my teenage boys know them.  They are “sticky” slogans.  These slogans helped brand their products. 

My question, and the reason for this post, is what has happened to all the good slogans? Have we run out of good ideas?   I’m trying to determine what the modern day slogans are that my kids will still remember 20 years from now.  Are there still marketing phrases ”sticky” enough to make a product stay in our minds; so much so that we can’t get the words, or the product, out of our mind?  Are we still branding things for life?  My hope is that we haven’t lost the art of branding. 

If you know of current, recently introduced ”sticky” slogans I may be missing I’d love to hear from you. 

(BTW, We have one slogan at Grace Community Church that I hope never goes away; or at least the principle behind it. Our slogan: Everyone needs a place to start over….that place is Grace.)