Jesus versus ice cream
By Mark Dehority
Dairy Queens sell ice cream.
The church of Jesus Christ makes Christians.
The best Dairy Queens make all kinds of offers to attract and retain customers. Sometimes it's hard to figure out which promotions are the most productive.
The most common trait of these organizations is that they sell great ice cream. They offer it in many ways and configurations. They have different kinds of sandwiches and promotions, but they always have the ice cream.
The web page uses this simple sentence to describe the corporation. “DQ® operators have been providing consumers with crave-satisfying treats and food since 1940.” Employees at Dairy Queen know and understand what the offer. Each Dairy Queen has a complete operating manual to guide the way.
Almost everyone at Dairy Queen can tell you why they're there. They can clearly describe what they want and expect. Even children young enough to barely talk can tell you why they are at Dairy Queen
Good News
We in the Methodist Church have great “ice cream”; we have Jesus. Jesus leaves no doubt about the reason for his church. He is the reason. We are to accept him and model his behavior.
The best churches do all kinds of different things to disciple the people who come through the doors. Sometimes it's hard to figure out which of these things are most productive.
The most common trait of these organizations is they provide opportunities for real relationships with Jesus Christ. The offer comes in many ways and configurations, but they always have Jesus, front and center.
Our webpage using this simple sentence to describe our church. “Create disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Clergy staff and laity in the best churches understand what they offer. We have a great operations manual, the most popular book ever written.
Almost everyone who is great at growing churches can tell you why they're there. They can clearly describe what they want and expect. Even very young children can talk about Jesus.
Heartache comes from congregations with many clergy, staff and laity who don't understand why they are there. They can't clearly define what a Christian is or does. They have trouble explaining why they're in church or even why they have a church.
It is time to get to the basics. God loves us. Jesus loves us. God wants us to love him. God wants us to love our neighbors. Jesus gave us very specific commandments and commissions that describe our “ice cream.” God provided us with a great operations manual. We need to open it, study it and follow it. It is so wonderfully simple and terribly complex.
More Good News
As we think about techniques and tools to help our churches and men’s groups make disciples GCUMM is ready to help. We have many tools and a group of men with the heart to help you. We continue to train and send out men’s ministry specialist to help organizations at all levels disciple their men. Men are located all over the country and can help you now. Please contact me to locate help in your area. No organization has more resources than the GCUMM.
Mark Dehority, deployed staff
General Commission on UM Men
mark@dehority1.com>