I saw the Super Bowl ad for a free grand slam breakfast at Denny’s on February 3rd. And I was planning to take the family. Only each Denny’s we visited had a line around the block. Apparently, Denny’s served 2 million breakfasts that morning. They estimate that they got $50 million worth of free (positive) publicity for an event that cost them $5 million. (See the USA Today article on the event.)
When we’re planning an event at the church, someone will almost always say, “What if we advertise it and 5000 people come? We won’t be able to handle it!” My usual response is that “It hasn’t happened yet, even when we want to invite the whole community.”
Denny’s took a risk. A big, expensive risk. Would anyone come? Would any of them come back? What if too many people came and left mad? What if they got bad press?
The way I see it, they couldn’t lose. Either a) People would come and enjoy a good breakfast, learning where Denny’s was and what it offered or b) too many would show up making it a big media event – showing priceless images of people lining up around the block to eat at Denny’s. Either way you win, right? It was a gutsy move, and they hit a grand slam. (Sorry, I couldn’t help it.) I didn’t get a breakfast, but I wasn’t angry – it wasn’t Denny’s fault!
Usually in the church, we play it safe. That means when we accomplish out goals, not much happens. What if we tried to be like Denny’s? After all, our “CEO” rewards those who step out in faith!
I’m about halfway through a three-week vacation from my position as pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church. After 5-1/2 years as pastor with no more than two weeks off at any one time (except to have kids!), I started to feel tired, and it was taking more and more to recover. I later learned that psychologists have a name for that concept: “resiliency.”
It’s kind of like some rechargeable batteries – they become less and less able to hold a charge over time. More charging and less powering. I was like that – less able to deal with adversity, less able to recharge, less able to think creatively. I think the real answer will be a sabbatical in 2010, but for now, I’m taking a break, looking at new habits that will help me to be healthy and effective.
I don’t want to be like a worn out laptop battery, and I’m not planning on allowing myself to get so worn down that I can’t do my job.
If you’ve lost your resiliency – especially if you’re a pastor – it’s worth the effort to recover that ability. For me this vacation is different than any other I’ve had. My focus this time isn’t on escaping from my work but on allowing God to renew me, restore me, and transform me.
Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29) Jesus clearly states that one can wear his yoke andfind rest for one’s soul. That’s all I’m looking for. 
I’ll let you know how it goes!
I’ve noticed a big difference between the assumptions my 6-year-old son makes and the ones I made at the same age. I used to assume that everyone went to some kind of church. Johnny is surprised to learn that someone goes to church. He realizes that he lives in a post-Christian world.
I hadn’t realized this until my wife was radio “channel surfing” this morning. She came across a Christian radio station and they mentioned “the Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Is that a CD mom?” he asked.
“No. It’s on the radio.”
“Yeah, but is it the iPod playing over the radio?”
“No, it’s really on the radio. It’s a Christian radio station.”
“It’s about time!” Johnny replied.
My kids have an innate awareness that this isn’t a Christian world in a way that I never did. It will be interesting to see how that affects the way he sees being a follower of Jesus along the way. He’ll probably help me learn to be a pastor in a post-Christian world too.
The annual Presbyterian Church “Bible Content Exam” happened again today. And as of this evening, my web tool for studying the Bible – mainly for people taking that test, has been used 163440 times! I never would have imagined that 9 years ago. It’s very cool that I get to help so many people learn God’s word and also get a step closer to ordination.
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