Rebranding

Posted by Bill | Filed under Musings

image post

I remember as a kid always thinking it would be cool to ride in a station wagon.  In that back seat that faced the rear of the car.  I always wondered if we would own one.

But we never did.  Evidently only dweebs owned station wagons.

But station wagons evolved to minivans and became cool.  For awhile.

I’ve never owned one, but I’ve known people who have.  They don’t seem to be big fans.

Which is probably why I never bought one.

Apparently you give off dweeb vibes if you own one.  It makes you uncool.  You’ve crossed over to the world of busy parenthood and suburbia.

But what could be better than a vehicle that held your entire family plus had sliding doors and folding seats?

Want to join a school carpool?  Haul bulky cargo?  Go camping?  Minivan is the choice.

Unless you have an ego.

So over the years automakers have tried to rebrand the minivan.

As a Christian I’ve tried to rebrand myself on several occasions.

In college I tried to portray myself as having all the answers.  As a young adult I wanted to be known as a spiritual leader.

In the end I looked foolish.

That’s why now I just want to be real.

Christ doesn’t need to be repackaged.  I just need to be a better reflection.

Unfortunately at times I’ve been a poor reflection.  Sort of like a muddy pool with poor lighting.  I was dark.  Gloomy.  Authoritarian instead of authoritative.

It caused me to put conditions on salvation.  And question the salvation of others.

I forgot it is through Christ Alone.  By Faith Alone.  By Grace Only.  And that all glory is due to God alone.

I don’t want to simply be a follower of Christ.  I want to become like Christ.

And so my journey continues.

Comments (4) | May 18th, 2010

4 Responses to “Rebranding”

  1. Sister T Says:
    May 18, 2010 at 6:56 am

    Hey Bill: We DID own a station wagon at one time. It was one of those old woodies and the back seat was the coolest. It really seems unsafe now. And I still own a mini van. They are wonderful…..not as much gas as a SUV, which I also own. So I guess it comes down to by car and car alone I get around. Sometimes a Taurus. Sometimes a Caddy. Sometimes a Aerostar. Sometimes an Expedition. What I want now is a motorhome. Rebranding is ok sometimes if it helps get you down the road doing the mission you need to do. The focus just needs to be in getting the job done, not necessarily obsessed with the brand-name of the vehicle. Kind of like working with other denominations. Seeing the value of what they accomplish and not being prejudiced about learning from others. But you are right. The ultimate must be to be like Christ and lead others to the same knowledge….whatever the vehicle. I need to remind myself not to get hung up on what others are “driving”, and me myself be what God has designed me and my mission to be. LOVE YOU.

    Reply
    • Bill Says:
      May 18, 2010 at 7:35 am

      We owned a wagon? Must have been before my time. Or at least I was too young to remember. I don’t even remember pictures – unless it was that vehicle that dad painted “where will you spend eternity” on the back. Anyways, minivans get a bad rap for one reason or another but in actuality they are very practical. The SUV tried to usurp their practicality but nothing takes the place of a van (when I was a kid I wanted a “charlie angels” van, too). You are correct, rebranding isn’t necessarily bad. I think I’ve erred over the years when I took the same package and tried to sell it as something different or something it wasn’t. I really love your point that we shouldn’t get hung up on other people’s rides. Thanks. And I love you too.

      Reply
  2. 'Possum Paul Says:
    May 18, 2010 at 12:26 pm

    Good point. Well said.

    I own both a station wagon & mini van. Still cool. But then, I have rebranded myself many times…

    Reply
    • Bill Says:
      May 18, 2010 at 12:56 pm

      True fact that even though Christ doesn’t need to be repackaged, sometimes we do. Successful companies can rebrand their products to target a new audience. We need to be ever mindful of how we present the good news so that it reaches a new culture – yet always mindful that we don’t have to change the message..

      And you would be cool, Paul, no matter what your ride.

      Reply

Leave a Reply