Different doesn't always mean wrong, sometimes different just means-different. And two men can achieve success beyond their wildest dreams, by going different routes.
Alfred P. Sloan was the architect of General Motors and their legendary decentralized management system. By encouraging managers at all levels to be innovative, they constantly had a source for up and coming replacements, for those who were up and coming above them in the ranks. He built GM based upon two basic premises-first a car for every purse and purpose. As people became more successful in life, they could afford a bigger and better car, and he would have the product there for them, never having to leave the GM family. Starting with Chevy, and ending with Cadillac, you could trace a young man's ascent by what he drove. And using the first Art and Colour Section of Harley Earl, gave cars a style they hadn't had before. Coupled with Boss Kettering and his many inventions, such as the electric starter, Duco paint which would dry in an hour versus a day, and high octane gas so more powerful engines could be built, GM was the leader in innovation and style-truly a car for every purse and purpose. But Sloan was also a businessman, make no mistake about it-and his other basic premise was "GM is not in the business of making cars-but in the business of making money." Which it did, becoming the largest corporation in the world.
Sloan's counterpart was Henry Ford, who came at things much different. Not wanting to be bothered by committees and dealing with bankers, he kept everything in house. The River Rouge plant his testimony, iron ore coming in one end and a car being driven out the other. He figured if he built a Universal car, the Model T, that he could put America on wheels, which he did, and life would improve for everyone-which as a society it did. His philosophy was simple-just like his cars, and using a streamlined assembly line, interchangeable parts, and over engineering basic components, his Model T stayed the same for 19 years. His business plan was simple-"it is a poor company that makes only money." And while Sloan had a system in place, Henry paid bills by how much they weighed. He owned Ford 100%, and at a time when the federal budget was $50 billion, was a billionaire himself! His was the golden rule-he had the gold and ruled! Basic black cars versus stylish, innovative cars-they all sold and sold well.
But the common theme here is product. Now matter how good the plan, if the product is no good, no one will buy it. For we buy many times based on emotion. A lesson not always learned, and not always practiced, as long after Alfred P. and Henry were gone, the product slipped. At GM, brand managers replaced men with gas in their veins, and we got cars that had all the excitement of a refrigerator. That had no performance, but fit into someone's focus group. Ford felt that the same old cars would sell, more innovations meant more problems, and it took his grandson to rescue the company from near death, and creating the Whiz Kids to save it. It is all about the product, but yet today some still try to rely on the image, even if it is just a hollow shell, albeit a pretty one.
I heard of a church yesterday, that is having financial trouble, not unheard of in this economy. A mainline church, whose population is aging, and dying-with no young ones coming into replace them. But yet as they struggle to make ends meet, the members leave the church an endowment when they die, and the church just hangs on waiting for that so they can carry on, if they can outlive the benefactor. Relying on man, instead of God, to be their Jehovah Gira, their provider. And they wonder why their numbers are decreasing. They lost their first love, and the message changed. This time, different is wrong. It may be good business, but it is lousy religion.
God's plan is simple-the gospel. For everyone, and for now. He will build the church, meet its needs, and prosper it. No programs, seminars, philosophies, or endowments are necessary-God will provide, where He guides. You follow. You see, the product, Jesus has been watered down, we cannot upset anyone with hell, they might get their feelings hurt. Sin-don't upset us. We need to have unity, that's it, we'll all become the same. Not hot, not cold, but lukewarm. Keeping the peace-but having none. A focus group known as the church board, catering to the whims of the people, instead of the spirit of God. Cue to Koom By-Yah.
Jesus tells us He came to separate the sheep from the goats. To set us free from religion, not to make us a slave to it. He is the only product that matters, and like Henry's philosophy, He doesn't change, but like Alfred P.'s, He is a there for every purse and purpose. Proverbs 16:3, written long before either man was born is simple, "Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be well established." Businessmen, take note. Parents, take note. Pastors, take note. The only agenda is Jesus-period. No seminars or procedures needed. Only Jesus. No catchy phrases, just John 3:16. Keeping the main thing the main thing. In case you haven't noticed, it is when we stray from Jesus that we have problems-often self inflicted, by the way.
"Wouldn't you really rather have a Buick?" " See the USA, in your Chevrolet..." "Not your father's Oldsmobile..." There is a Ford in your future!" "Have you driven a Ford lately?" All catchy lines that sold cars, when Jesus' message is the same. Timeless, for it speaks of eternity. Simple, for His audience is. And free, so we all can afford it. A man with a plan so different it cannot fail. Where you stand with it depends on your success or failure. Styles change, Jesus doesn't. And aren't you glad He doesn't? That 2000 year old model was right from the start! So start living now! What will it take to put you into His family today?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com