Like so many I have been lured into the "Hunger Games" following. One of the things most fascinating to me is the "silver parachutes" or gifts to the contestants from their sponsors. Literally fighting for their lives the time comes when a particular thing is needed to continue to survive. The arrival of a "silver parachute" is dependent upon your relationship with those who sponsor you and how appealing your story is to the viewers. In other words if you don't excite and capture the audience you are unlikely to receive much support from a sponsor. It's curious to see how and when contestants garner the favor and receive a gift.
The twist comes when you receive a silver parachute out of pure grace. You did not ask and yet you receive. You might even receive the gift from an unknown source. A loaf of freshly baked bread could come from some act of kindness you have bestowed on another contestant whom you are supposed to be ready to destroy. The story includes the reluctance to befriend knowing in the end only one will remain standing. However the heart pushes some to relent into a giving nature rather than a taking one.
What if we saw our lives as those who were commissioned to do acts of kindness, sending silver parachutes to some we do not know, or even giving away to one who appears unworthy. Is there not one among us who has not longed for some act of grace and kindness thinking surely we are not worthy but want it just the same? And how do we accept a silver parachute from a stranger?
Of course we are not fighting for our lives. Or are we? We follow a God who does not care about ratings or even how we appear on the field. A God whom lovingly accepts us as we are and sends us gifts of grace which surprise us and delight us. We are only asked to love one another the same way. Silver parachutes...how many have you sent lately?
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
De-Greet
Marketing has always fascinated me. The way minds are manipulated into thinking we should have, look like, and desire a product amazes me. Of course promoting any product or lifestyle changes with the culture and so today's approach differs greatly from when most of us grew up. It doesn't take long for us to become "loyalists" to whatever is the most current and appealing approach. We actually set aside our doubts and cynicism and begin to buy into the lines of losing 30 pounds in 30 days; a green line will lead you to financial peace and prosperity; or you are in "good hands" with insurance even if it sounds like a duck! We can say we are a thinking discerning people until we realize there is a part of us that wants to believe what we are doing or buying is good for us.
Our son-in-law who builds a popular restaurant chain in the St. Louis area recently brought to my attention that not only is it necessary for the customer to be greeted at the door, have an outstanding server for your meal, but as you are leaving you should receive a "De-Greet". This is when as you are walking past the host/seating area one or more employees needs to thank you for coming and initiate an invitation to come again. Anyone who has ever been in QT knows the line is "thank you, see you next time". Subtlety we are being programmed to want to return. We leave feeling as if we were wanted and needed and who doesn't get a little euphoria out of that sensation?
All of this has made me rethink how we promote our product of "Good News?" in the church. For today's world we certainly spend an enormous amount of time tethered to responsibility and demand by our work, family and even chosen obligations. Technology can reach us at every turn and good news is just not at a premium. We are greeted (perhaps) when we enter our churches. If per chance however we are a guest probably over greeted. and by the time we sit at the table (pew or chair) waiting for that friendly server, all we usually get is an opportunity to give money. Depending on the church the guest may or may not know how to participate in all the rituals and so they wait to be fed. When the meal of church is over they may get the "De-greet" or simply be left to leave with their own thoughts and impressions.
I wonder if as believers of the Good News we might adopt the attitude that everyone who enters our place of worship needs a genuine welcome, deserves a great meal with the best server (Jesus like), and leaves feeling as if it has been the churches honor to have you as a guest and they truly want you to come again. Every time someone feels the love of Christ offered it makes it easier to want to be a part of that place (body) . Every time we share the love of Christ, another heart readies itself for the best gift of all, adoption into the kingdom of God. Pretty simple huh?
Our son-in-law who builds a popular restaurant chain in the St. Louis area recently brought to my attention that not only is it necessary for the customer to be greeted at the door, have an outstanding server for your meal, but as you are leaving you should receive a "De-Greet". This is when as you are walking past the host/seating area one or more employees needs to thank you for coming and initiate an invitation to come again. Anyone who has ever been in QT knows the line is "thank you, see you next time". Subtlety we are being programmed to want to return. We leave feeling as if we were wanted and needed and who doesn't get a little euphoria out of that sensation?
All of this has made me rethink how we promote our product of "Good News?" in the church. For today's world we certainly spend an enormous amount of time tethered to responsibility and demand by our work, family and even chosen obligations. Technology can reach us at every turn and good news is just not at a premium. We are greeted (perhaps) when we enter our churches. If per chance however we are a guest probably over greeted. and by the time we sit at the table (pew or chair) waiting for that friendly server, all we usually get is an opportunity to give money. Depending on the church the guest may or may not know how to participate in all the rituals and so they wait to be fed. When the meal of church is over they may get the "De-greet" or simply be left to leave with their own thoughts and impressions.
I wonder if as believers of the Good News we might adopt the attitude that everyone who enters our place of worship needs a genuine welcome, deserves a great meal with the best server (Jesus like), and leaves feeling as if it has been the churches honor to have you as a guest and they truly want you to come again. Every time someone feels the love of Christ offered it makes it easier to want to be a part of that place (body) . Every time we share the love of Christ, another heart readies itself for the best gift of all, adoption into the kingdom of God. Pretty simple huh?
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