Starbucks failed to understand the fine coffee culture in Australia. They tried to run the same model of coffee house that worked in Seattle and throughout North America, and in the end their business failed to take root in Australia. In 2008 they closed all but a handful of their Australian stores. As of yesterday, Krispy Kreme Australia went into voluntary administration. Perhaps Krispy Kreme, like Starbucks, also failed to appropriately understand their Australian market.
When it comes to church growth, there are lots of really exciting things happening in North American churches. God is doing some exciting things as the gospel of Jesus’ death and resurrection is proclaimed. However, I think sometimes we might be a bit quick to adopt church growth strategies from our North American friends, that may likewise be destined to flop.
Does this mean we don’t learn from them? Not at all. But we need to prayerfully work hard to have strategies that take into account our own unique culture and context.
AMEN!
Yeah good call. I’d like to hear some examples mate…take care and keep preaching Jesus, hang on, that’s your line!
hey Dave. I am from Perth WA and just stumbled across your blog by accident when googling some info on Tim Keller. Just want to say that I really like what you are doing and fantastic insight on the whole starbucks/ Krispy Kreme issue. Keep up the cool work you are doing and I will stay in touch.
peace
James
dear dave,
i haven’t seen you in a while
so i’ll spend a comment saying:
i like this post
i like this blog
i like you and your family.
melinda
@ANDREW – i’ve been enjoying your new blog. looking forward to the rest!
@MATT – just checking, are you after examples of “strategies that take into account our own unique culture and context” ?
@JAMES – hey man, thanks for stopping by, and thanks for the encouragement. if you’re after some keller gear, make sure you check my mate Andrew’s new blog (he is the first comment) http://www.kellerandthecity.blogspot.com/ it’s looking good!
@MELINDA – thanks for the love. yeah, it’s been a while since we chatted! glad you like this post, blog, me and my family… we like you too!
when do you move north?
Dave, I’d like some examples of;
‘However, I think sometimes we might be a bit quick to adopt church growth strategies from our North American friends, that may likewise be destined to flop.’
Thanks Bro,
matt.
Speaking as a North American pastor whose doctoral studies centered around church growth I can tell you that your conclusion is correct. You do indeed need to pray and ask for God’s leadership before embracing any kind of change. Just because something works in one situation does not mean it will in another. God bless!
Terry Reed
Small Church Tools
hey matt – sorry for slow reply. to be honest, i didn’t have one particular principle in mind, more the vibe of seeking the wisdom of American pastors and missiologists. i can think of a number of times when visiting american pastors have been asked questions, and their answers show that they don’t understand the context. that’s okay, it just means we need to think through carefully how to apply appropriately in our context.
hey terry – thanks for dropping by. looks like you have a good resource on your website. keep trusting and preaching Jesus.