One of the great things about being a barista at Starbucks is that any time a customer has a problem and wants to complain about something, you can always say, "Here is my supervisor and he'll answer any of your questions." Then you get to watch all the action from a safe distance.
I just happen to be a supervisor.
On one such occasion, a lady came into my store and wanted to exchange a coffee mug for a new coffee mug. The problem was she did not have a receipt, a big issue when wanting to exchange something at Starbucks. (The policy is there must be a receipt and the purchase has to be within 3 months, neither applied with this lady) She of course began with the barista at the register, who very quickly handed the situation over to me.
She began explaining to me what she wanted and why. She had apparently received a starbucks tumbler at Christmas (this story takes place during April) and some mold had formed on the inside of the cup. So, she wanted to replace it.
My response: "I'm very sorry but our policy states..." This just mad her more mad and replied, "Well where is this policy written? I want to see it!" This threw me off guard. Like there is some Starbucks Bible in the back or something.
The discussion continued as she tried to coerce me to give in and give her what she wanted, but my reply was always, "I'm very sorry, but our policy says..." Finally, when she realized she wasn't getting a free tumbler, she said, "Well this is a tragedy."
I live in one of the most affluent counties in the U.S. with the highest cost of living in the U.S. Million dollar homes housing million dollar attitudes. And here was a lady trying to convince me that this $15 moldy cup was a "tragedy."
9/11, Iranian protesters, Burmese monks protesting, malnutrition in third-world countries, third-world countries, North Korean nuclear threat, poverty, sex trafficking, starvation, women's rights in the Middle East, etc...
How do you even begin to share the gospel, let alone be an incarnational missionary, with someone whose uses the word tragedy to describe a moldy Starbucks cup?
The lady never returned or took up my offer to speak with the store manager. And for all I know her cup is still moldy.
I'm beginning to understand a little more about what Jesus meant when he commented on how difficult it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. "When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful for he had great possessions." Mat. 19:22
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Church Aisle at Wal-Mart
So I had this weird idea.
What if Wal-Mart had a Church Aisle?
Think about it.
Wal-Mart focuses on products that are cheap to make and easy to sell, and easy to sell in mass quantities. So what kind of Churches would Wal-Mart sell?
Would they sell Mega Churches with stadium seating? Maybe Denominational Churches with stain glass windows? Or maybe "Gatherings" with a "Speaker" who gives a "Talk" and then leads a "Conversation." And if you asked one of the workers in a blue vest, you know the blue vest that says, "How can I help you?," if they would be able to tell you which churches work best and which churches are no longer culturally relevant, so don't waste your money.
I wonder if the Chinese CPM would be on the shelf? It would definitely be the cheapest, but it would have to have a warning label of some kind like, "this church may cause death by martyr."
If you were buying a church in Wal-Mart, what are things that you would look for? Different preaching style, better worship band, more church events, less church events?
My wife and I are still looking for a church after living in California for over six months now. And I can see myself comparing churches like I might if they were sold on a shelf at Wal-Mart. Though I don't exactly see church as a product to be sold, the fact is that many Americans do, in fact, many churches see church as a product to be sold. And despite the American Church's marketing efforts, many people are losing interest.
I'm afraid I might be one of those Americans, I'm losing interest in Church.
Don't get me wrong, I love to strategize and dream what a church might look like pulling it's resources together and boldly engaging culture and individuals with the gospel of Jesus for His glory. It's just sometimes I wish finding that kind of church was as easy as driving to a Wal-Mart.
Imagine this, two friends are walking up and down the church aisle at Wal-Mart and the first begins to notice there are other people shopping for a church too. The second is intensely focused on finding the right church; he has several in his hands and he is reading the description of each very carefully. The first however, instead of looking and comparing between the different churches he begins to ask some of the other shoppers what they are looking for and why. He discovers that some are christians, and some are not. He talks with one lady who had a wonderful church experience and shares how she became a believer, meanwhile the second friend sets down the Chinese CPM and replaces it with the "Rick Warren Bobble Head." The first develops another conversation with a gay couple who had a really bad church experience, but were still hoping there might be a church that would welcome them; he gets an opportunity to share his love for Jesus. The second person walks away with a cool young church where the pastor wears blue jeans and the drummer wears a v-neck t-shirt with skinny jeans.
In this story I want more than anything to be the first person, engaging others in conversation and sharing my faith, the missionary. But I know that I act more like the second person going from church to church making comparisons, a shopper.
Who are you the missionary or the shopper?
What if Wal-Mart had a Church Aisle?
Think about it.
Wal-Mart focuses on products that are cheap to make and easy to sell, and easy to sell in mass quantities. So what kind of Churches would Wal-Mart sell?
Would they sell Mega Churches with stadium seating? Maybe Denominational Churches with stain glass windows? Or maybe "Gatherings" with a "Speaker" who gives a "Talk" and then leads a "Conversation." And if you asked one of the workers in a blue vest, you know the blue vest that says, "How can I help you?," if they would be able to tell you which churches work best and which churches are no longer culturally relevant, so don't waste your money.
I wonder if the Chinese CPM would be on the shelf? It would definitely be the cheapest, but it would have to have a warning label of some kind like, "this church may cause death by martyr."
If you were buying a church in Wal-Mart, what are things that you would look for? Different preaching style, better worship band, more church events, less church events?
My wife and I are still looking for a church after living in California for over six months now. And I can see myself comparing churches like I might if they were sold on a shelf at Wal-Mart. Though I don't exactly see church as a product to be sold, the fact is that many Americans do, in fact, many churches see church as a product to be sold. And despite the American Church's marketing efforts, many people are losing interest.
I'm afraid I might be one of those Americans, I'm losing interest in Church.
Don't get me wrong, I love to strategize and dream what a church might look like pulling it's resources together and boldly engaging culture and individuals with the gospel of Jesus for His glory. It's just sometimes I wish finding that kind of church was as easy as driving to a Wal-Mart.
Imagine this, two friends are walking up and down the church aisle at Wal-Mart and the first begins to notice there are other people shopping for a church too. The second is intensely focused on finding the right church; he has several in his hands and he is reading the description of each very carefully. The first however, instead of looking and comparing between the different churches he begins to ask some of the other shoppers what they are looking for and why. He discovers that some are christians, and some are not. He talks with one lady who had a wonderful church experience and shares how she became a believer, meanwhile the second friend sets down the Chinese CPM and replaces it with the "Rick Warren Bobble Head." The first develops another conversation with a gay couple who had a really bad church experience, but were still hoping there might be a church that would welcome them; he gets an opportunity to share his love for Jesus. The second person walks away with a cool young church where the pastor wears blue jeans and the drummer wears a v-neck t-shirt with skinny jeans.
In this story I want more than anything to be the first person, engaging others in conversation and sharing my faith, the missionary. But I know that I act more like the second person going from church to church making comparisons, a shopper.
Who are you the missionary or the shopper?
Monday, June 22, 2009
Church Shopping
I have lived in California now for six months. My family and I have visited several different churches hoping to find a new "home" church where we can get involved and build relationships with fellow believers.
I hate church shopping.
I sit service after service critiquing everything about the service and compare it to the last church we visited. I have grown very little in the Lord this way and grown more frustrated with the American Church.
I was really hoping to find a church where we can just be passive members and allow the church to minister to us for a while.
This has completely unmotivated me to be a missionary to this culture.
I see now the importance of a local body of believers to encourage me and keep me accountable. My problem is I honestly don't like any of the churches I've visited, but I don't think I can stand to continue to shop for a church.
Maybe I'm asking too much from the churches here. Or maybe I'm waiting to hear an angelic choir break out in song when I step foot in the church where we are supposed to be. I don't know.
For now, we're going to continue to praying and continue to hope that we will find our place soon...
tam
I hate church shopping.
I sit service after service critiquing everything about the service and compare it to the last church we visited. I have grown very little in the Lord this way and grown more frustrated with the American Church.
I was really hoping to find a church where we can just be passive members and allow the church to minister to us for a while.
This has completely unmotivated me to be a missionary to this culture.
I see now the importance of a local body of believers to encourage me and keep me accountable. My problem is I honestly don't like any of the churches I've visited, but I don't think I can stand to continue to shop for a church.
Maybe I'm asking too much from the churches here. Or maybe I'm waiting to hear an angelic choir break out in song when I step foot in the church where we are supposed to be. I don't know.
For now, we're going to continue to praying and continue to hope that we will find our place soon...
tam
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Busy Much and Starting Over
When I look at the date of my last post I sort of cringe. You see when my family and I moved back to the states I wanted so badly to try and stay "out-side" the American culture. I wanted to look at how I could reach the people around me and have a new perspective on the American culture. However, it is very obvious to me that as American culture shock began to wear off, I slowly began to creep back into the American groove.
For example, I went from thinking that eating in my car was disgusting to eating in my car. That also mean fast food, way too much fast food. Also, watching too much television. And not like really good shows but stupid things like Family Guy or Frank TV (who is the absolute best impressionist I've ever seen). But also, just staying busy but not really feeling like I've done much has basically been the last several months for me.
But I feel like I have a second chance because my family and I have moved once again. We no longer live in Bible-Town USA, but now live among the very rich in a suburb outside of San Francisco. I was able to transfer my job with Starbucks and will start seminary this spring. Now I have a new culture that I'm learning and so I feel like I have a second chance at this whole missional perspective thing. It should be lots of fun.
-tam
For example, I went from thinking that eating in my car was disgusting to eating in my car. That also mean fast food, way too much fast food. Also, watching too much television. And not like really good shows but stupid things like Family Guy or Frank TV (who is the absolute best impressionist I've ever seen). But also, just staying busy but not really feeling like I've done much has basically been the last several months for me.
But I feel like I have a second chance because my family and I have moved once again. We no longer live in Bible-Town USA, but now live among the very rich in a suburb outside of San Francisco. I was able to transfer my job with Starbucks and will start seminary this spring. Now I have a new culture that I'm learning and so I feel like I have a second chance at this whole missional perspective thing. It should be lots of fun.
-tam
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Bad Church Experience
So I work with this girl who had a horrible experience with church and church people. She was judged, looked down on, and is completely turned off by church because of the way she was treated.
When she told of her experience, my heart broke and I think that it sank into my stomach because I got a strong sick feeling in my gut. I was completely disgusted and hurt for her. It really pretty much pissed me off that a church would treat someone, especially as cool and genuine as her, like they did.
I was thinking, what would it take to see this girl come to a saving knowledge of Jesus? Is there a church program out there that would be cool enough or hip enough (church planters call it being "strategic") that had just the right combination of humor, coolness, and good music that she would be compelled to come?
I seriously doubt it. And if she did, she would hate the whole thing. She is simply not interested in anything to do with church.
As she continued to open up a little more, which is hard to do while you're working, she told me that she was not religious but that she had her own beliefs. I told her that I do not consider myself religious either, but rather more spiritual. Something clicked inside her, I could tell by the way she responded, almost agreeing with me that she was the same.
So what do I do? How do I be a missionary to her? How do I show her that the culmination of being a Christian is more than simply going to church? That it is more than just making sure you wear the "right" things and say all the "right" words? What would you do?
When she told of her experience, my heart broke and I think that it sank into my stomach because I got a strong sick feeling in my gut. I was completely disgusted and hurt for her. It really pretty much pissed me off that a church would treat someone, especially as cool and genuine as her, like they did.
I was thinking, what would it take to see this girl come to a saving knowledge of Jesus? Is there a church program out there that would be cool enough or hip enough (church planters call it being "strategic") that had just the right combination of humor, coolness, and good music that she would be compelled to come?
I seriously doubt it. And if she did, she would hate the whole thing. She is simply not interested in anything to do with church.
As she continued to open up a little more, which is hard to do while you're working, she told me that she was not religious but that she had her own beliefs. I told her that I do not consider myself religious either, but rather more spiritual. Something clicked inside her, I could tell by the way she responded, almost agreeing with me that she was the same.
So what do I do? How do I be a missionary to her? How do I show her that the culmination of being a Christian is more than simply going to church? That it is more than just making sure you wear the "right" things and say all the "right" words? What would you do?
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Hip-Hop
The past month a blog from Mars Hills Church in Seattle called Doxologist posted a couple of interviews I hope you'll take the time to watch.
The two guys that are being interviewed are Hip-Hop artists who share their hearts for the Hip-Hop community. The Hip-Hop world is a sub-cultural group that needs to hear and see the gospel lived out in a very particular way. These guys seem pretty devoted to live as missionaries to that community.
Stuff like this really excites me. I'm not a Hip-Hoper, at all. I lean more toward emo-indie / whiny college music. But I am super excited to see that there are men called by God to be missionaries to such a culture that desperately needs Christ. Let me know what you think.
Lecrae Interview
Sho Baraka Interview
-tam
The two guys that are being interviewed are Hip-Hop artists who share their hearts for the Hip-Hop community. The Hip-Hop world is a sub-cultural group that needs to hear and see the gospel lived out in a very particular way. These guys seem pretty devoted to live as missionaries to that community.
Stuff like this really excites me. I'm not a Hip-Hoper, at all. I lean more toward emo-indie / whiny college music. But I am super excited to see that there are men called by God to be missionaries to such a culture that desperately needs Christ. Let me know what you think.
Lecrae Interview
Sho Baraka Interview
-tam
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Going to Church
I've been back in the States now for about 7 weeks. I've gone to church every week. Each week has been a little shocking and little disappointing. Worship seems dull, the congregation seems disinterested, and the preaching seems like dumbed down moral lessons. But my frustration came to its peak this morning as never before.
The sermon was on national pride, how christians ought to be patriotic, and we should be one nation under God because that's what the founding fathers meant when they wrote the bill of rights.
Trying to be an american missionary means that I have a certain desire to see my fellow american come to know the Lord, turn to Jesus and be saved. It means on a certain level I want my nation to be redeemed. However, I lack the faith in the Bill of Rights to get our nation to that place of repentance and revival.
Don't get me wrong, I love my country and I am very thankful of the particular freedoms that we have in the U.S. Like the rest of America on the 4th, last Friday, I went to a fair, ate a corn dog on a stick, and went and enjoyed fireworks with my family and friends. I had a blast. But there moments where it seemed as if we were encouraged to worship our Nation, and I guess it just felt a little weird (especially having lived away from that for almost two years).
Needless to say I felt like walking out but couldn't and just listened (cussing in my head) with my mouth open wide not really believing that this was actually happening.
As an American Missionary I choose not to believe that this is a great nation, but believe that this is a broken and hurting nation that desperately needs Jesus.
The sermon was on national pride, how christians ought to be patriotic, and we should be one nation under God because that's what the founding fathers meant when they wrote the bill of rights.
Trying to be an american missionary means that I have a certain desire to see my fellow american come to know the Lord, turn to Jesus and be saved. It means on a certain level I want my nation to be redeemed. However, I lack the faith in the Bill of Rights to get our nation to that place of repentance and revival.
Don't get me wrong, I love my country and I am very thankful of the particular freedoms that we have in the U.S. Like the rest of America on the 4th, last Friday, I went to a fair, ate a corn dog on a stick, and went and enjoyed fireworks with my family and friends. I had a blast. But there moments where it seemed as if we were encouraged to worship our Nation, and I guess it just felt a little weird (especially having lived away from that for almost two years).
Needless to say I felt like walking out but couldn't and just listened (cussing in my head) with my mouth open wide not really believing that this was actually happening.
As an American Missionary I choose not to believe that this is a great nation, but believe that this is a broken and hurting nation that desperately needs Jesus.
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