If you watch certain TV shows and channels, you have most likely seen the advertising for Sonic Drive-In restaurants. Until recently there was no opportunity to visit one in this area of Minnesota. I did visit one in Iowa a few years ago though.
Recently, a Sonic Drive-In opened in Saint Paul. At least three weeks later, we went there around five on a Saturday afternoon, shortly after a storm blew through. At least three weeks after the grand opening, there was still a long wait. Traffic control personnel were hired to manage the demand. If you wanted a drive-in spot, you had to go to a staging area down the block in another parking lot and wait in line for at least 20 minutes.
Sonic had found a demand. It may be mostly driven by curiosity at this point. The long-term success has not been determined yet. But, by most accounts, their entrance into the Twin Cities was a huge success.
They are just fast food. But Sonic offers something new. They offer a wide spectrum of drinks and desserts. Their meals have a few unique offerings as well.
So what can we learn from this? If you are hungry and near Saint Paul, you may wish to check them out. Their TV advertising built a pent-up demand. It wasn't until they opened a store that they understood the payoff. Our efforts, as well, can be very productive with fruit we have yet to see.
But mostly, from my perspective, Sonic offered some new options and possibilities. Churches and businesses take heed. If you offer something new and at least partially innovative, people may be willing to at least check it out. Obviously, people were not totally content with their food options in the Twin Cities. And, since about 75% do not attend church on a given Sunday, they aren't too excited about their Christian worship options either.
Fresh approaches and fresh attitudes have a chance of meeting people where they are at. There are signs there is pent-up demand for churches or Christian fellowships that have fresh and innovative ways of touching lives. Dare to be different. Dare to take some risks. You never know. You may touch off a Sonic boom that impacts dozens or hundreds of lives.
Showing posts with label new. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new. Show all posts
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Saturday, 26 July 2008
Reign Down USA
Talk about a marketing challenge! The theme of the event was basically “come and repent”. That is pretty hard to sell here in America.
There were two places in the northeast Twin Cities showing the simulcast for Reign Down USA. We went to North Heights. I was somewhat surprised nearly 500 people showed up. We broke away from the national show for a while to do our own local thing. I wasn’t sure I agreed with that at the time. But after seeing the full event later on God.TV, it was a good choice.
The main event had star power and was more of a concert than we expected. Locally we went deeper with more prayer time regarding a variety of topics. It was good.
Repentance is basically turning around and going in the opposite direction. It is a change of course.
People don’t like the word “repent” very much. It is difficult for our pride. Some claim that repentance was mostly an Old Testament thing. But Jesus clearly stated that repentance is associated with the “good news” of the gospel. See Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15, 6:12, Luke 13, Acts 11:18, 17:30, 20:21, 26:20, 2 Peter 3:9, and other places.
Even though it is hard, repentance is often the key to moving to something better. We have to be willing to leave something behind to grab hold of the new thing. Most often that letting go includes attitudes and actions. But it can also include letting go of relationships, possessions, hobbies, jobs, and even ministries that do not match God’s plans for us.
Quite often we have actions that are simply wrong. They are not good for us. They do not bring honor to God, others, or even ourselves. We need to stop those and start doing what is right.
Other times we are called to let go of mediocre or even good things to pursue something better. That can be a difficult challenge as well.
Repentance is a gift. It is the start of something good.
Most of us would like to see some changes. Are we willing to change behavior so that the changes become reality? If it is what God wants, he will gladly help us do that.
There were two places in the northeast Twin Cities showing the simulcast for Reign Down USA. We went to North Heights. I was somewhat surprised nearly 500 people showed up. We broke away from the national show for a while to do our own local thing. I wasn’t sure I agreed with that at the time. But after seeing the full event later on God.TV, it was a good choice.
The main event had star power and was more of a concert than we expected. Locally we went deeper with more prayer time regarding a variety of topics. It was good.
Repentance is basically turning around and going in the opposite direction. It is a change of course.
People don’t like the word “repent” very much. It is difficult for our pride. Some claim that repentance was mostly an Old Testament thing. But Jesus clearly stated that repentance is associated with the “good news” of the gospel. See Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15, 6:12, Luke 13, Acts 11:18, 17:30, 20:21, 26:20, 2 Peter 3:9, and other places.
Even though it is hard, repentance is often the key to moving to something better. We have to be willing to leave something behind to grab hold of the new thing. Most often that letting go includes attitudes and actions. But it can also include letting go of relationships, possessions, hobbies, jobs, and even ministries that do not match God’s plans for us.
Quite often we have actions that are simply wrong. They are not good for us. They do not bring honor to God, others, or even ourselves. We need to stop those and start doing what is right.
Other times we are called to let go of mediocre or even good things to pursue something better. That can be a difficult challenge as well.
Repentance is a gift. It is the start of something good.
Most of us would like to see some changes. Are we willing to change behavior so that the changes become reality? If it is what God wants, he will gladly help us do that.
Monday, 16 June 2008
Fathers Day 2008, Never Too Late
I am thankful I was with both my son and my Dad for Fathers Day this year. The morning was a little hectic. My son David and a group of teens were commissioned (prayed for) for an upcoming mission trip. Immediately after that was done we had to hop in the car to another church service where I had prior commitments to serve. Fortunately, that one started later. So it all worked out fine.
The afternoon was more relaxing. We took my Dad miniature golfing. He did great like he practiced all the time. I played cane caddy on most holes. It was fun.
But it was clear as we were done that the go-carts had his attention. He hadn't been in a go-cart for at least 30 years. So, after some hesitation, I bought us three tickets to drive. I wasn't sure how he would do. Driving skills and reaction times tend to go down with old age. But he did very well and stuck with the pack of other drivers. The worker there remarked that he was (one of) the oldest to drive the go-carts at age 80. Or, as my Dad put it, almost 81, like a child looking forward to the next milestone.
As long as we are breathing, it is never too late for something new. It is not too late for change. It is not too late for a fresh start in some aspects of our lives.
We can try some new activity or maybe stop a harmful activity. We can try a new attitude or perspective. Perhaps it is finally time for those words of thanks or apology. Perhaps it is time to really listen. Maybe it is time to learn something new. Maybe it is time to share your knowledge and experience with others.
But the most significant changes can come through spiritual changes that will affect the rest of our lives. It is never too late to say "I will live for God, above all other priorities." It is not too late to invite the power of God into all aspects of our lives. Biblically and historically, it seems God most often brought change to circumstances and health when the people were also inviting his authority into the rest of their lives as well. And that humble posture can be very difficult for most of us.
To see God's greatest work around us, through us, and especially in us, we must get out of the way. We must put aside what some would call "good" and choose what is "best". We must choose those values and priorities that will really last long after the things we physically see are gone. I write this to myself as well.
For most of us in the Midwest, as we look around the countryside, things are very green with new and renewed life. Life did not look quite that optimisic when that grass was dormant, when the seeds were still in a dark, dry package. But change came, sometimes in drastic ways. And new life emerged. Perhaps we will see change and new life this summer as well.
The afternoon was more relaxing. We took my Dad miniature golfing. He did great like he practiced all the time. I played cane caddy on most holes. It was fun.
But it was clear as we were done that the go-carts had his attention. He hadn't been in a go-cart for at least 30 years. So, after some hesitation, I bought us three tickets to drive. I wasn't sure how he would do. Driving skills and reaction times tend to go down with old age. But he did very well and stuck with the pack of other drivers. The worker there remarked that he was (one of) the oldest to drive the go-carts at age 80. Or, as my Dad put it, almost 81, like a child looking forward to the next milestone.
As long as we are breathing, it is never too late for something new. It is not too late for change. It is not too late for a fresh start in some aspects of our lives.
We can try some new activity or maybe stop a harmful activity. We can try a new attitude or perspective. Perhaps it is finally time for those words of thanks or apology. Perhaps it is time to really listen. Maybe it is time to learn something new. Maybe it is time to share your knowledge and experience with others.
But the most significant changes can come through spiritual changes that will affect the rest of our lives. It is never too late to say "I will live for God, above all other priorities." It is not too late to invite the power of God into all aspects of our lives. Biblically and historically, it seems God most often brought change to circumstances and health when the people were also inviting his authority into the rest of their lives as well. And that humble posture can be very difficult for most of us.
To see God's greatest work around us, through us, and especially in us, we must get out of the way. We must put aside what some would call "good" and choose what is "best". We must choose those values and priorities that will really last long after the things we physically see are gone. I write this to myself as well.
For most of us in the Midwest, as we look around the countryside, things are very green with new and renewed life. Life did not look quite that optimisic when that grass was dormant, when the seeds were still in a dark, dry package. But change came, sometimes in drastic ways. And new life emerged. Perhaps we will see change and new life this summer as well.
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