I try to live my life with a "learning posture." You can't go wrong if you "learn from everyone and everything." I think Ben Franklin said it this way--"Every man is my superior, in that I will learn of him." If you view every experience as a "learning opportunity" you'll never stop growing.
I love learning from business models. Considering that 30 million customers pass through 8,000 Starbucks stores every week, it's probably worth looking at how they do what they do.
I think there is a common denominator in great churches and businessess--they are always reinventing themselves. Howard Schultz says, "Great companies are defined by their discipline and their understanding of who they are and who they are not." Schultz isn't willing to let Starbucks rest on its laurels. "We know we need to win back our customers loyalty every day." Whether we like it or not, churches need to do the same thing on a weekly basis! Schultz says, "Great retailers recognize that they're in the business of constantly surprising and delighting their customers." That's what we need to strive for!
Starbucks is exploring and experimenting with the music industry. They have a few "experimental stores" with "listening stations" where people can burn a personalized CD with a custom-designed cover. Schultz says, "We've known for a long time now that Starbucks is more than just a wonderful cup of coffee. It's the experience."
I think that churches that don't offer "experiences" won't survive past the middle of the 21st century. It's a new day. Jesus offered an experience, not a packaged service. He said, "Follow me."

Sunday was our annual Baptism by the Bay at Sandy Point State Park. It was one of those days that I could relive over and over again and it'd never get old. There is nothing like hearing people's stories of their spirtiual journeys and seeing them take steps of faith.
The baptism almost didn't happen. The ranger saw us filming and we told him we had planned on baptizing some people. He was adament, "There's no way this is going happen." He was concerned about us being a disruption and we certainly didn't want to interfere with other people at the park. I keep asking, "How can we make this work?" Eventually he talked to his sargeant and gave in. I'm not sure what would have happened if he'd said, "No." I really felt like it's our first amendment right so I think we would have respectfully proceeded in some form or fashion. And it would have gotten interesting. But I feel like God gave us favor and it was an incredible evening. Thirteen NCCers went public with their faith!
Can't wait for next year!