Yesterday, we started talking about monopolies. We said that monopolies where:

  • Arrogant - Because they are the “only game in town”.
  • Apathetic - In their attitude towards customers.
  • Oblivious - As to what their customers want or need.
  • Unfocused - Because they try to do more than they should.

Today I’d like to add one more to the list: ineffective. Monopolies aren’t ineffective at turning a profit, just ask Mr. Rockefeller or Ma Bell. No, monopolies are often ineffective at meeting their very own mission statement. My local cable company’s mission statement reads:

At ******, our mission is to provide value to our customers. We do this by offering high-quality communication services, continually improving customer care, and through the unwavering commitment of our employees.

As we saw yesterday, this company is failing in all three areas. Being ineffective is the inevitable result of being arrogant, apathetic, oblivious, and unfocused.

As you’ve read about my problems with the cable company, and monopolies in general, I’m sure you can see where I’m going. Sometimes we focus more on our “monopoly” of the gospel than on the people that the good news was sent to free. Sometimes we’re more caught up in our message, and ourselves, to really meet people’s needs. Sometimes we try to do so much that we don’t do anything well at all.

When it comes down to it, the church can be just as arrogant, apathetic, oblivious, and unfocused as any monopoly. Sadly, when we’re ineffective, its people’s souls that are lost, not just the latest episode of the Colbert Report.