In the city I live we once had a great restaurant downtown that was known for great food and the perfect setting. They were always the most expensive and always full.

Then a new bar opened across the street. In all its brand new glory it attracted a crowd and began to pull some of the business from across the street…they were now full all evening.

In response, the restaurant changed itself and turned itself into a bar. It’s now lucky to have 4 tables full.

They couldn’t get past someone else’s success and figured it meant they were unsuccessful when in fact people most likely had some dinner, maybe a glass of wine and went across the street for some music and dancing.

It is so easy pastors, churches, all of us to look at the what’s been hot for the last 5 minutes and panic. All of a sudden we have to be just like them…we’ve lost the concept of originality.

In the church we copy sermon series, preaching styles, marketing campaigns…you name it, and we wonder why we didn’t have the same blockbuster as the originating church. They’ve lost there personality.

We need to celebrate our uniqueness while celebrating other’s success.

We don’t need another them, we need you to be you.