DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU GOT TILL IT'S GONE

Seth had this post over on his blog.

I'll follow the post with a few comments on how this might apply to your local church.


Don't know what you've got till it's gone
Seth Godin

IWantSandy is folding, as are a number of web companies. So is that restaurant you loved down the street. Users are outraged. Outraged!

When you find a service or establishment or product that gives you joy, it's tempting to keep it to yourself. Perhaps it's uncomfortable to recommend it to a friend (after all, you might seem silly) and even more uncomfortable to recommend it to a stranger (after all, you might seem like a shill).

Plenty of people hesitate before spreading the word about a political candidate or a business or a medical device. We're worried that we'll look silly, or that the place will end up being too crowded and now we won't be able to get in. Or perhaps we're concerned about losing our uniqueness...

Anyway, the outcry that accompanies the closing of one of these businesses should be enough to remind you that your hesitation has a cost.

It's simple, I think. In a world where consumers have so much power, we now have two responsibilities:

* If you don't like what an organization stands for, work actively to spread the word and force them to change

and

* If you will miss a product, a service, a book, a site or a professional when they close up shop, stand up, speak up and bring them masses of new business.

We get what we promote.


__________________

I think Seth is on to something, especially in regards to the local church you attend.

Not that we should "actively...spread the word" in order to "force them to change." When that happens in the church, it's just nasty and downright wrong.

If the church you're a part of doesn't "rock," pray. Ask God what's going on? Be open to the possibility that you could be part of the problem. Be prepared to repent.

BUT... BUT... And this is where I think Seth is on to something... If your church "rocks," spread the word. Invite someone to attend. Be an active participant in the life of the church. Show up when the doors are open. Serve. Do something!

Why not give your pastor a phone call and thank him for his faithful service to the flock? Even better, why not put the message he preached this past Sunday into practice?

Don't sit back and coast, taking God's favor and blessing upon your church for granted. Be a partner with God in what He is doing in and through the life of your church.

Because unfortunately, sometimes you just "don't know what you've got till it's gone."