WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM RED LOBSTER?

I am an admitted seafood lover.  My favorite is grilled rainbow trout but I also enjoy the salmon I make on the grill (a little olive oil and lemon pepper, thank you!).   When we were in San Antonio over the weekend I chose Landry’s Seafood over Saltgrass Steakhouse.  In spite of my fishy passion, I cannot recall the last time I ate at a Red Lobster.  Evidently I am missing something.  Overnight Red Lobster has become the number one restaurant favored by Millennials.

Yes, you read that correctly.  The 23-34 crowd is flocking to the seafood chain.  Part of the trend can be traced to Beyonce.  I am not a fan (cannot say I would recognize one of her songs), but evidently Millennials are.  Seem Beyonce said the magic words, Red Lobster, in her song Formation.  Instantly Red Lobster became cool.  The seafood chain has also recently upgraded their menu to include “more substantial” dishes and locally sourced food, both desired by Millennials.  Red Lobster has also renovated locations to include communal tables that appeal to Millennials’ social mindset.  A couple of years ago Red Lobster was barely visible on the Millennial preference list.  Now they are on top.

If Red Lobster can turn things around, why can’t the church?  Like the Red Lobster of past years, the church barely appears on the radar for most young adults.  We are not a place most of them choose to visit with any frequency.  Things turned around when one person dropped their name.  I seriously doubt Beyonce intended to start a trend, but she did.  That is the power of the spoken word.  While none of us probably have influence of a “pop star,” we do have potential to have an impact.  Our words and our actions can speak volumes.  In other words we need to spend more time engaging in conversation with Millennials.  Don’t preach.  Get to know them and their world.  Show them you care.

Another thing Red Lobster did was change their menu.   They identified what Millennials wanted and gave it to them.  In my mind there is no more wholesome food than the Gospel.  In other words we need to do a better job of sharing the “Good News” and less time condemning their sins.  Our message of compassion and hope for the lost must be spoken loud and clear.

Lastly, Red Lobster altered their environment just slightly to make Millennials more comfortable.  Again, who should be better at providing a “communal table” than the church?  It starts with the sacrament, but needs to continue by providing a sense of community where issues can be discussed in a non-confrontational or judgmental manner. 

If Red Lobster can turn things around, why can’t we do it?

The Topic People Do Not Want to Talk About

Historically, religion and politics are the two things people do not want to talk about.  Considering our current political season I might question the later of those two topics.  It seems like many people want to converse on the candidates, although experience tells me it is out of concern and maybe even frustration.  If the current data from Pew Research is correct, religion might be the one topic people really do not want to discuss.   I am left to wonder why that is.  If indeed our relationship with God is so life-changing, why do we not want to talk about it.

I think there are three different approaches when it comes to talking about religion and our personal faith.  Many of us wait until the topic comes up, only then interjecting our faith perspective.  Others casually mention church activities, hoping someone might open the door for us.  The third group I think of as “the Bible thumpers.”  These folks quote a lot of scripture and often talk with disdain about the “sins of this world.”  It might even involve some finger pointing when they deem people need it.

I would like to propose a fourth approach.  Be Jesus, and let your actions do the speaking.  This really is not new.  It was St. Francis of Assisi who stated, “Speak the Gospel, and when necessary use words.”  When we show our compassion and concern for those around us we are truly being Jesus’ disciples.  In the process we might just open the door for a conversation.  That is what our Master did.  Sure he preached, but it was always to his followers or the curious who were there by choice.  When it came to the lost, he responded to their need and then used that opportunity to gently deliver his message. 

If we live as people of compassion and hope, somewhere along the line someone might comment on that.  They might even inquire as to how we are different.  They might even ask about the source of our ability to even respond to crisis with a sense of hope, rather than despair. That open door might be the opportunity to share the message of Jesus Christ.

If some Millennials look with disdain on the church and those who affiliate with it, the only way to change that is to provide them with a different perspective.

History from a Generational Perspective

I wore many hats during my eleven years at Lutheran High School of Dallas.  My primary role was school counselor, but my job description often changed as dictated by need.  As an example; during the first couple of years I coached the junior varsity baseball team, but when the opportunity arose I switched to my first choice, basketball.  Somewhere along the line they needed someone to teach a couple of sections of advanced composition.  As a published author, the head of the English department asked me to fill in.  I soon discover that writing and teaching writing are two different things.  I am happy to report that the English department head and I are still friends and often play golf together.  Part of the conversation usually involves laughing about that endeavor.

I do have one very clear memory from that experience.  As I reflect, it was probably one of my first experiences with the millennial effect.  The assignment was a persuasive essay.  The topic was The Most Significant News Event in the Twentieth Century.  As examples I suggest events surrounding World War II: The bombing of Pearl Harbor or of Hiroshima, the latter of which ushered in the nuclear age.  I also reflected the assassination of President Kennedy from my perspective.  I was shocked when they turned in their assignments.  The most popular topics: The death of Nirvana singer, Kurt Cobain, the death of Diana; Princess of Wales and the AIDS Epidemic.  I sincerely questioned how anyone could consider the drug related death of a rock star with the dropping of a Bomb that not only killed thousands but led to the end of the war in the Pacific.

The incident in that high school writing class came to mind last week as the news of the pop star, Prince, was announced.  While I am hard-pressed to even name a hit song by Prince, to many he was a music icon.  As I watch the human response, I get the impression that members of Generation X most closely identified with Prince, and before him Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.  The truth is that history, and the people we consider icons, is a matter of perspective.  Brad Keselowski is one of my heroes, but outside of NASCAR fans few people even recognize his name.  Perspective!

With history it is a matter of perspective, but from a spiritual point of view it is a matter of focus.  There is only one hero in God’s story.  He is more than an icon.  He is our Savior.  Jesus ultimately is the one we should be worshipping.  It is also his story that needs to be told, over and over.  Our earthly heroes, whether they are in sports, politics, or the entertainment industry, are merely temporary.  Jesus is eternal, and so is the hope we have in him.  That is the message we need to be passing on to Millennials and all future generations.  There is only one “real” Prince, and he is the “Prince of Peace.”

  

IF WE ARE SO HAPPY WHY DON’T MORE PEOPLE LIKE US

According to a recently released report from Pew Research highly religious people are about 20% happier than those who are not highly religious.   They are also more likely to be very satisfied with their lives than those who are not highly religious.  The positive vibes do not stop there.  Highly religious people are 50% more likely to volunteer and donate to the poor or under-privileged.

 

As a person who personally knows Jesus Christ, it is not hard for me to understand the source of our happiness, joy and compassion.  I try to live each day fearlessly under grace.  I also have the confidence that the struggles, heartbreaks and pain of this world are only temporary.  I have the hope of eternal life.  The joy of walking the earth each day in the light of Jesus love for me allows me face even difficult situations confidently, knowing “all things work together for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

In spite of the above, Christians have an image problem. Much of the world views us in a negative way.  Millennials as a group see us as being out of step and hypocritical.  We are often known more for what we are against that what we are for.  Still, according to the Pew Research report we are not only a happy, joyful group but one who does a lot of good in the world.  If that is the case; why don't people like us?

I have a theory.  Much of the joy, happiness and even the acts of compassion and kindness take place within the context of the church community.  We are a joyful group, and some of our greatest joy comes from hanging with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We have fellowship at potlucks and serve on committees together.  We go on mission trips and volunteer for work projects, like Habitat for Humanity.  That’s okay, but I have to wonder if we are keeping our “lights under a bowl.”  (Matthew 5:14)  Is hanging out together what Jesus’ had in mind?

I gained an interesting, and challenging insight, in a sermon I heard recently.  The text was Hebrews 13:7-15.  The verse that really convicted me was Hebrews 13:13.  I think The Message paraphrase says it best.

“So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, action is –

not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus.”

I think we get caught up with the same problem the Peter, James and John when they experienced Jesus’ Transfiguration.   “It’s good to be here.  Let’s set up some tents and camp out.”   But Jesus did not allow them to stay there.  He had ministry to do, and none of that ministry happened within the walls of a temple or synagogue.  He wandered the highways and byways in search of the broken and lost.  He was a messenger of hope in a broken world.

Now he calls us to do the same.  The bottom line is hanging out with our church friends is comfortable and fun, but hopefully they already know Jesus.  Our real ministry needs to happen in the world.  We need to be messengers of compassion and hope to a world that deeply needs Jesus.

It is an Election Year and I do not Like any Candidate

It is an election year and like many like many older Americans I do not feel real comfortable with any of the leading candidates.  From a faith perspective, I am frustrated with the direction our country is headed. I wonder what happened to traditional Christian values.   I also hear a lot of negative and even offensive words.  The candidates are making hateful statements that in my mind are based on fear. 

In spite of that there are two things I do know: I need to respect whoever our elected leaders are (Titus 3:1) and God is still the Supreme Ruler. 

I am also still of the opinion that the Millennials generation will have a major voice in whoever our next president is.  By the way, they were a major factor in electing President Obama.  They, more than any other generational group continue to give the president high approval ratings.  That leads me to expect the next president to continue to lead down the same path. That probably means a further movement away from the Christian values that I cherish.

The recently released report from the American Bible Society's “State of the Bible" seems to indicate Americans still see the Bible as the answer to our nation’s problems. But as we look to the future things do not look as positive.  The research for the study was done by The Barna Group.  It seems to indicate that the impact of the Bible decreases from older generations to younger ones. 

In response to the statement “Politicians would be more effective if they read the Bible regularly,” 76% of Elders but only 34% of Millennials agreed.  Among other generations, 66% of Baby Boomers and 49% of members of Generation X concurred.  In response to the statement, “The Bible is sufficient for meaningful life,” only 27% of Millennials agreed as opposed to 65% of Elders.

 

Still, as Christians we cannot allow the culture, or the political climate, to change who we are.  More than ever, the world needs to see the Bible lived through us.  The elections are coming and we need to vote, but no matter the outcome, God is still in charge.

Assimilate or Accommodate?

There is no doubt that the culture has shifted.  Behaviors once considered taboo are now viewed as accepted.  As a Christian, I feel conflicted.  My values do not match up with the world in which I live.  So the question becomes; do I try to adapt and assimilate or adjust and accommodate?  Assimilation could mean I embrace the culture and in the end become part of it.  Accommodation means excepting culture for what it is but not allowing it to change who I am.  It requires that I adapt my behavior to fit the situation I am in.  Making those adjustments might require me to live in a manner that runs counter to the culture.  It also means I must remain tethered to the values and truths on which I have always based my life.

I cannot help but be drawn to the story of Daniel.  As an Israelite, he was forced to live in the Babylonian culture.  The big difference he had no choice.  He was an exile, forced out of his homeland.  He and his friend responded by remaining not only true to their faith but to its values as well.  Even his enemies could nothing to charge him with. “They could find no corruption in him because he was trustworthy, and neither corrupt or negligent.” (Daniel 6:4). 

As a good Lutheran I am moved to ask, so what does this mean?  Daniel was respectful toward those in authority, even if he did not agree with them.  He spoke the truth, but always with love.  He lived out his faith through his actions and did not compromise on who he was as a child of God.  The reason he could do that was he remained anchored to his faith.  “Three times a day he got down on his knees to pray and give thanks for God, just as he always had.” (Daniel 6:10b)  As a result he won the respect of those who were around him. 

Now I am called to do the same.  Culturally, I am in a foreign land, but that does not change who I am as a disciple.  I must remain anchored to the good news of Jesus Christ and live compassionately.  “God did not send his Son (or me) into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”  (John 3:17)

We Are Easter People

I had been doing some reading, but it was going on 10:00 p.m. I turned off the floor lamp that I use while working and prepared to head to bed. Suddenly, my cell phone went off. I glanced at the number and sighed. In retirement I do hospital visitations for a chaplaincy service. It was one of my hospitals, and I suspected my late-night routine was about to be interrupted. I answered the call, and yes, it was a nurse. There had been a death, and the family had requested a chaplain. I asked for the name and room number, but neither was familiar. That is not unusual; I serve three hospitals, and among them there are over two hundred patients. I can’t see them all, but instead focus on those who have requested a visit or patients who are referred by the case managers.

In less than thirty minutes I was pulling into the parking garage at the hospital. I was relieved to see the security guard waiting for me. I wasn’t necessarily worried about my safety, but that meant I wouldn’t have to call upstairs to have someone let me into the building. After visiting hours the doors are locked. I exchanged greetings with the guard and headed to the elevators. He was a step behind me and reminded me that the family was waiting on the third floor. The antiseptic smell of the hospital was familiar, but the dimmed lighting and quiet made the atmosphere almost surreal. I was shocked when the doors opened and I was greeted by the laughing voices of children. A lounge to my left was filled with over a half dozen youngsters of various ages. They had gathered around a table where several board games were spread out. An older gentleman who was standing with them nodded to acknowledge my presence and then motioned down the hallway. I stopped at the nurses’ station to let them know I had arrived, but off in the distance I saw a group of men standing in casual conversation. As I neared the group, I was surprised to see smiling faces instead of the usual tearful ones. The men greeted me and thanked me for coming. “Grandma has gone to be with Jesus,” one of them reported. The others nodded, and I even detected a quiet, “Amen.”

I entered the room to find another dozen smiling faces surrounding the bed, where the corpse of the now departed loved one lay. One young girl held the hand of her grandmother and stroked her forehead with the other. I introduced myself and then listened as they all related their names and relationships to the deceased. I silently acknowledged that I would remember almost none of what they told me. Some of the men joined us, and I asked them to tell me about their departed loved one. They went on to tell me about a single mom who had raised eight children on her own in south Dallas. She had worked long hours as a housekeeper but still found time to cook, do the wash, and make sure all their homework was done. “We all graduated from Sunset High School,” one noted. Another related how holidays were always celebrated in her home, even though their family had grown to almost seventy-five. I learned that the woman had been active in her church and had taught a Sunday school class until her health had started to fail. They all reported that they still worshiped at the same church. “We wouldn’t want to disappoint her,” one noted. I reminded them of the need to “Live the legacy.”

I shared a couple of Scripture references with them, including the familiar words from John 14:1–3. I offered up a prayer placing the soul of the departed into the hands of our loving God. I told them that I would be available to them should they require further ministry, but they assured me their pastor would be helping them with arrangements. I walked back to my car acknowledging once again, Christians handle death differently. We are always people of hope.

That hope is rooted in the Resurrection.  Blessed Easter, 2016.