MOVING FROM MEDIOCRITY TO EXCELLENCE--The Struggle to Go Beyond Mediocrity to Excellence Has Received a Lot of Attention Lately
A number of years ago (1982), Tom Peters and Robert Waterman undertook a study of a number of successful business institutions. What is an excellent business? They published a book, In Search of Excellence, identifying 8 attributes of excellence for corporations. Among them were simplicity of organizational structure, running a loose/tight organization, interaction with the customer, respected their own people, and action oriented. In summary, this well-organized group must be (1) aware of identity, (2) characterized by healthy interactions, (3) with an action orientation.
1985, Jon Johnston, Pepperdine professor, Christian Excellence: Alternative to Success. Among his concepts--(1) standards, (2) sharing, (3) daring to act.
MOVING FROM EXCELLENCE TO MEDIOCRITY--Excellence Often Gives Way to Mediocrity because Mediocrity is the Easy Way Out
A story I recently read speaks about excellence. The author wrote, "One of my least favorite subjects in high school was English. My English teacher had a unique way of trying to get the most out of his students. He often used sarcasm and dry humor to try to get us to put forth greater effort. Some of his laziest students required a little more personal attention. One day he asked me to stay after class and when we were alone he said something that puzzled me. Why are you working so hard to achieve mediocrity? I didn't have a clue what he was talking about, but the word mediocrity stuck in my mind. Later I found out that "mediocrity" means barely getting by; doing just enough to be ordinary; performing without distinction.
As a professor, I was always challenged to help the students who were satisfied with mediocrity to improve.
I like sports. Some athletes are known as "floaters." They have above-average, even excellent, ability. They work hard for part of the game; they work hard if the score is close early in the game; they work hard if they individually haven't scored yet. But as soon as their team is a little ahead or significantly behind they "float." As soon as they've scored a goal or two themselves they play at ½ or 3/4 speed. Their name is now in the scoring column and they are taking the rest of the night off. "Floaters". What a picture--excellence giving in to mediocrity.
Understanding Excellence--Other Words Might Help
Mediocrity, excellence--interesting combination, interesting problem. The opposite of excellence is not failure, but mediocrity. Culture says we should be excellent, seek excellence. Excellence is in. Be all you can be. Bigger is better, proud, popular, prominent, powerful, possessions.
What does God say? Mediocrity is not a Bible word, per se, but excellence appears in various translations. In a Bible word study, we find three basic concepts.
In English, there are two words that speak to the concept of excellence.
Understanding Excellence--The Necessity of Pursuit, the Threat of Mediocrity
The pursuit of excellence. We can observe that to pursue excellence, maturity, is mandatory. Irving Layton, Canadian poet, penned the line, "The slow, steady triumph of mediocrity." Thought captured. Mediocrity will triumph because the many purveyors of mediocrity, joining forces, can outvote, outmaneuver and outmuscle the few committed to excellence. Mediocrity is threatened by excellence and longs to submerge it.
That mediocrity disdains excellence demands the pursuit of excellence. We must commit to excellence. Abandoning the pursuit of excellence is committing ourselves to mediocrity.
Understanding Excellence--The Necessity of Diligence, the Threat of Mediocrity
What kind of a person are you? What kind of a church are we? Are we diligent in our efforts? Are we faithful in the exercise to godliness? Are we just trying to get by--to do the bare minimum? Many people appear to have no greater ambition than to be lukewarm. Lazy, careless, undisciplined Christianity is not only unbiblical, it is shamefully dishonoring and contradictory to Christ. He gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people zealous for good works.
Mediocre pleases self or others more than God. Mediocre grows little in grace and makes little real progress in godliness. Mediocre prays to satisfy conscience, but not enough to become like Christ. Mediocre seeks faith without faithfulness, goes through the motions without the master. Mediocre seeks Jesus as Savior but Jesus as Lord. Mediocre faith may fool others; but mediocre faith will not fool God. Mediocre is a rut--grave with both ends kicked out.
Understanding Excellence--Paul and the Threat of Mediocrity
Want to look at text from Paul, Phil. 3:1-14.
Understanding Excellence--The Ephesians and the Threat of Mediocrity
Perhaps from the same prison, Paul wrote to the Ephesian church, possibly to others in a circular letter, a vision for the excellent church. In six chapters he described the church that glorifies God (Eph. 3:20-21), as accepting Jesus as Lord, flourishing in the grace of God, making known the wisdom of God, living in the unity of the Spirit, keeping pure for Christ, and fighting the good fight of faith with the armor of God. He describes a church whose living grows out of its identity. What we Are, what we do. He describes this church as body, masterpiece, building, and family. Toward the end of chapter one he describes a people with position, as the presence and pleroma, a people with power and purpose. These are people with identity, enmity canceled, living together. These themes resound in the book. The family of God, empowered together with all the saints, able to act.
Our same 3 themes are included in the first part of the practical section of this epistle.
Conclusion
Excellent Church--where life can be strong even in the weak places. The place where when you go there, they have to take you in.
