I never was really sure of my position at Polychrome as a scheduling
clerk. The company had some strange management, young and they liked to party,
so to assure my importance, if I even had any, I kept production figures and up
to date inventories in my head. My boss Walter was a nice guy, and trusted me,
one of his many faults, and I was attached to him at the hip when we went to
meetings. Instead of a power point, still 30 years away, or even wall charts,
he would ask me, and those in attendance and not on some sort of depressant ,
would copy down the figures. They never doubted my accuracy, and soon it became
a game to tell them just what they wanted to hear, all was well and all were
happy. Many sins of omission were covered up using whatever figures they wanted
to hear, nobody but the customer failed at Polychrome. For example when the
sheeter was down, rather than address it, we would transfer all production to
rolls, and brag about increased film roll production. No one ever thought to
ask about sheets, and even if one type of film was short, we would brag on
another product in abundance. And they all fell for it...today we call it
propaganda, back then it was just telling them what they wanted to hear, and
hope they were listening.
A recent article on motorcycles by Consumer Reports focused on quality and
why a certain motorcycle was purchased. Strictly analytical, with no brand or
customer loyalty involved, it was based on cost to operate, and how comfortable
the seat was. How many repairs it needed, all lumped together, a blown fuse
would count the same as a blown engine. The results from the 2015 survey were
interesting to say the least. Victory had the best seats, and over 80% would
buy again. Note-they just stopped production. Harley was next, and only Honda
was in the group that would buy again based on the seat. Now I ask, how many of
you butt tested the bike you ride and said “great seat, but lousy looks and
performance.” Reliability was addressed, but with no criteria as to who did the
work. Or if the bikes were actually maintained. Just one survey based on
warranty, and the top 10 were surprising, at least to me. BMW was #9, Harley
beat out Triumph, and Bolt was first. But the things that went wrong concerned
me more, 24% of the bikes surveyed had electrical problems? Was that a tail
light or a wire melt down? 18% had brake problems-that’s scary. One out of
five bikes dangerous to stop? Body panels at only 6%? Maybe that explains the
rise in hooligan looking bikes. I wonder who actually responded to the survey
and if they actually rode. Because the article advised to set aside $400 a year
for repairs. There goes tires in one year, a service every two will cost a
$1000, chains and sprockets another $500. How many bikes that need service,
tires, chains and sprockets didn’t get them? Don’t fix it and save money. Just
like the guy who bragged his insurance went up because he never got caught
speeding-yet. How many bikes got parked when they needed work, but owners
didn’t do it? At least the seat was comfortable....if you never ride it, it’ll
never break.
But just some rankings on reliability, only 11% of Yamahas were problem
prone. 40% of BMW’s, 26% of Harleys and 29% of Triumphs reported problems.
Nothing stated about which problems were reported, is it possible those of us
who ride more miles take better care of our rides and report more problems to
fix. I am in many shops visiting, and I can tell you, Japanese bike owners do
the least amount of maintenance, Harley, BMW, and Triumph the most. While a
$500 bill will keep the Honda from being repaired, the owner at the Harley store
who needs $4000 asks “how much down do you need?” while pulling out his
wallet. Truth be told, there are so many personal reasons we ride what we do,
the way we do, maybe you should buy a dishwasher based on CR ratings, never a
motorcycle. No mention of how comfortable the seats are in the showroom
only....or how many miles per year were ridden. Or how. Or where. And no
animals were harmed during the survey.
An article I read recently showed that the greatest number of people come
to Christ before twenty, the least amount after 70. How many Sunday school kids
forced into the Sunday regiment was not told, nor how any older Alzheimer
patients were asked. But based on the numbers, the article recommended where to
place your evangelistic efforts. Old is out, young is in, and also the
potential for long range giving to the church. And suddenly new programs built
on youth, lead the way. Based on a survey. Not on Jesus Christ, or by the
spirit. There is an old adage about “if you want to split a church, start a
building program,” and I have seen it too many times. The older attendees are
comfortable, and have paid the bills over the year. Now new funds are needed
for overheads and sound systems, to reach the young. Gotta have trendy names
for groups, even if there are only a few in each one. At one church we
attended, they claimed they needed more class rooms, they really had too many
groups divided by age. I was the villain when I offered “why don’t you combine
some classes..” It is OK for a 49 year old to worship with a 50 year old, or a
39 year old isn’t it? No word from a survey yet....or God. Because they never
stopped to ask God, who tells us “unless he builds the church, they labor in
vain.” At last mention, God was over 70, does that matter?
The world of knowledge has crept into the church just like it has in
motorcycle stats. I used to think that the world invaded the church, but soon
found I was wrong. The church invited the world in, and shut the doors behind
it. They liked the new buildings, nice carpets, and campuses. They only
neglected to ask God, basing it on if we have the finances, God must be giving
the OK. And if not, we will borrow it. I actually heard that more than once.
I wish it worked like that with motorcycles. But like most of us who don’t have
the finances, we buy on time, and many church lending companies will help you
extend or over extend in the name of Jesus. Very few stop to count the cost, or
to ask God. Because they have made up their minds, and many times know God has
a different idea. A better plan. For all but them. As the tell us how to
conduct our lives.
At a Bible study a woman told me she thought it was nice I ministered to
the homeless and prisoners. The same church recently stopped taking food and
clothing donations, no one there to distribute them. I guess in a body of 7000,
it’s hard to find anyone who cares enough....another church ended its drug and
alcohol program, they thought the $300 rent on the building down where those in
need lived was too much. Let them come to church, forgetting it is only 5 miles
away. And when I took some downtrodden there in the past, we were eyeballed and
felt uncomfortable. So when a story was told of a biker beating a man, I took
offense, and told of biker church, Wheels of Grace magazine, and how many
churches don’t like us. “Well maybe if you brought 100 of them we might change
our attitude..” as she thumped her Bible. If you don’t want one, why would you
welcome 100 of us? God loves us and uses us to minister. We meet in rental
halls, parks, back rooms of businesses. We spend money to help those in rehab,
pay rent, help single moms, and provide clothing as needed. No trips to Israel,
no book signings, no big name speakers. Only Jesus. All we need. And what
makes you think we would want to come?
I hope you don’t pick your church like you would pick your ride. Comfy
seats. With lack of maintenance due to feeling good. Jesus took us all in, and
plays no favorites. Who built the church you attend? Did the holy spirit build
it or man’s money? Is the financial goal your number one goal each week?
Year? Jesus addressed the church guilty of these things, telling them “I never
knew you.” But that “whoever does to the least of them, does it to me.” You
know, maybe it is easier buying a bike....maybe the seat is the most important
consideration, it shouldn’t be when choosing a church.
So I left this woman with this thought, that God told me. If the seat of
your pants is wearing out faster than the soles of your shoes, you have a
problem. No word in the survey on tires. Get out and apply what you know, and
when it is Jesus, watch as us, the church grows. If your whole Christian
experience is in church, you need to get out and live. You know I was never
surveyed, I guess you can’t ask anyone while they are out riding....
love with compassion,
MIke
matthew25biker.blogspot