What is Our Why?

September 9, 2014

Dear St. Paul’s Family,

Why? 

According to business and management consultant Simon Sinek in his book Start with Why, that is the most important question that any company or individual can answer.  He cuts through the “WHAT” and the “HOW” and goes right to the heart of why a company should exist: 

WHAT:  Every single company and organization on the planet knows WHAT they do.  This is true no matter how big or small, no matter what industry.  Everyone is easily able to describe the products or services a company sells or the job function they have within that system.  WHATs are easy to identify.

HOW:  Some companies and people know HOW they do WHAT they do.  Whether you call them a “differentiating value proposition,” “proprietary process” or “unique selling proposition,” HOWs are often given to explain how something is different or better.  Not as obvious as WHATs, many think these are the differentiating or motivating factors in a decision.  It would be false to assume that’s all that is required.  There is one missing detail:

WHY:  Very few people or companies can clearly articulate WHY they do WHAT they do.  When I say WHY, I don’t mean to make money – that’s a result.  By WHY I mean what is your purpose, cause or belief?  WHY does your company exist?  WHY do you get out of bed every morning?  And WHY should anyone care?  (p. 39)

His primary example is Apple Computers, one of the most valuable companies in the entire world.  They succeeded, where other computer companies have failed, because they built their company on more than just the WHAT (We make well built computers) and the HOW (by making them beautiful and user-friendly).  They begin with the WHY:  “In everything we do, we believe in challenging the status quo, and thinking differently.” 

That, Sinek says, is the WHY that connects to the consumer at a deep level, and turns nominal computer buyers into participants in a movement:

Apple’s WHY is so clear that those who believe what they believe are drawn to them.  As Harley-Davidson fits into the life-style of a certain group of people and Prada shoes fit the lifestyle of another group, it is the lifestyle that came first.  (p. 48)

I’m drawn to Sinek’s book and his concepts because it pushes me to ask this fundamental question:  What is our WHY as a church?  The WHAT is quite easy to define:  (to put God’s love into action through worship, education, fellowship, missions, etc.) and so is the HOW (we do it in love, with joy and excellence). 

But WHY?

Naturally, we turn to the Bible for guidance.  We can easily name those things in the gospels that comprise the WHAT of Jesus (his life, death, and resurrection) and the HOW of Jesus (sacrificial love and humility). 

But why?  Well, if the very first words that Jesus spoke in his ministry are any indication, his WHY is pretty clear in Mark 1: 

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

Now is the time, Jesus said.  The Kingdom of God is here.  That’s WHY.

Jesus would go on to preach about the Kingdom of God more than any other sermon topic. 

·      He would illustrate it with parables about mustard seeds, leaven, pearls, weeds, and treasure.

·      He would offer it to children, subversively claiming that it belonged to them.

·      He would talk about it with people in private (Nicodemus) and public (Zaccheus) and instruct them on how to become a part of it.

·      He would make it a stumbling block to some (the rich man), and a gift to others (the poor in spirit).

·      He said, time and again, that it would require repentance, a transformed life, and a participation in justice and compassion for others. 

But here’s the big question.  What exactly is the Kingdom of God?

If the Kingdom of God was the WHY of Jesus – and evidence in the gospels strongly suggests that it was - why do we have so much trouble defining it, let alone practicing it, building it, and sharing it?  How can we make this critical component of Jesus’ mission a central part of our life as a congregation?

In other words, how can the Kingdom of God become a part of the WHY of St. Paul’s UMC?

OUR FALL SERMON SERIES:  THE KINGDOM OF GOD

I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I would like for us to discover them together.  That is why I am inviting all of us to take a journey this fall through the many scripture passages in the New Testament that speak about the Kingdom of God.  This, after all, is the liturgical season of Kingdomtide, when our theological emphasis is on the mission and outreach of the church.  Of all seasons of the year, this is the time when we focus on seeing God’s “kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.”

So I am hopeful that by the time we make it to Commitment Sunday on November 23, we will all be able to know what the Kingdom of God is, and how it can answer the question that Simon Sinek says is important for every individual and corporate entity:

What is our WHY?

THE KINGDOM OF GOD:

Jesus' Favorite Sermon Topic

“The Kingdom is Near”

(John the Baptist)

Mark 1; 4:26-29

September 14

“Children and the Kingdom”

(“Let the children come to me”)

Matthew 19:13-15

September 21

“Entering the Kingdom”

(“Unless you are born again, you cannot enter the kingdom”)

John 3:1-18

September 28

“The Global Kingdom”

(Parable of the Mustard Seed and Leaven)

Matthew 13:31-35

October 5

(World Communion Sunday)

“Growing the Kingdom”

(Parables of the sower and the tares and weeds)

Matthew 13:1-17, 24-29

October 12

“Living the Kingdom”

(Sermon on the Mount)

Matthew 5:1-11

October 19

“Children’s Sabbath”

October 26

“Inheriting the Kingdom”

(All Saints Sunday)

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

November 2

“Investing in the Kingdom”

(Parable of the Treasure and the Pearl)

Matthew 13:44-46

November 9

“Giving to the Kingdom”

(Parable of the Rich Man)

Matthew 19:16-30

November 16

“Building the Kingdom”

(Commitment Sunday)

November 23

Together, let’s build the kingdom of God, and discover our WHY!

Grace and Peace,

Magrey

The Rev. Magrey R. deVega

St. Paul's United Methodist Church

531 W. Main St.

Cherokee, IA  51012

Ph:  712-225-3955

Email:  mdevega@sp-umc.org

PORK FEED SEPTEMBER 28

For the first time in three years, we celebrate the return of our annual pork feed!  Join us after worship on September 28 for a delectable grilled pork meal provided by the Parker family.  You are invited to bring a salad to share, and dessert will be provided.  Invite your friends to join us for this great fundraiser, to raise money for the renovation of the kitchen and dining hall.