A Deadly Paradox

"Too big to fail" or "We'll be here forever" are famous last words for many. Just ask Kodak, the 131 year-old mega corporation that filed for bankruptcy in January.

While reading a compact history on my new hometown of Spring Hill, Tennessee, I learned of the burgeoning horse and buggy business that once supported many blacksmiths and repair shops in this area. Even as the automobile was making an introduction into rural, agricultural areas in the early 20th Century, the horse-drawn wagon was still at the heart of farming and transportation; roads were vulnerable to rain and ruts, so automobiles were only useful when the sun was shining. The blacksmiths had so much work, they probably never saw an end to their industry. I don't think a single blacksmith is open for business here today.

Last night I watched a documentary on the history of Sears, Roebuck and Co. Richard Sears, a railroad agent from Spring Valley, Minnesota, procured a rejected shipment of watches and made them available to railroad workers for a fraction of the normal retail price. The watches were quickly sold, and Mr. Sears eventually saw an opportunity to supply rural communities with more items through his now-famous catalog. Early on, Sears hired Alvah Roebuck, a watch repairman, to help warranty the watches. In 1893, Roebuck soon became a partner, and together they established Sears, Roebuck and Co. in Chicago.

Roebuck parted ways in 1895 as the high-risk mentality of Mr. Sears proved too much for his highly-conservative sensibilities. That same year, key financier and future president/ chairman Julius Rosenwald came aboard to help stabilize and--after Sears died at age 50 in 1914--guide the company through the Great Depression and beyond. Though the company made many incredible business decisions that would ensure their unchallenged retail presence in the U.S. for years to come, they would eventually be assaulted by new retail outlets like K Mart, Wal Mart and Target. The competition proved devastating to this once powerful giant. Who could imagine Sears stores being a thing of the past? To date, Sears has not made a yearly profit in 10 years and is slowly struggling to compete.

The problem with corporations, churches and people is that just when least expected, someone comes along with a better idea or a better delivery system. In the case of churches, the fundamental message must not be altered (God forbid), but the method of delivery must come under scrutiny in response to the needs of a changing society.

I'm reminded that nothing or no one is impervious to progress. I don't want to become stagnant as a person, a businessman or a minister. My prayer is to be open to change, willing to listen to new ideas, learn how to more effectively reach people, and never fall for the deadly paradox: "I'll be here forever."