Managing the Brand

As Jesus became more popular, people tried to copy him and use his name.

They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." But Jesus said, "Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. - Mark 9:30-41

Jesus was not troubled by the fact that others used his name to cure the sick. Afterall, it was what he told his disciples to do, right?

But I get the concern of his friends.  

People will credit that other guy with the miracle and not Jesus.

But what is the goal here?  Is it to develop a solid brand and ensure that it is protected, or is something more important at stake?

We face a similar issue at work.  Our small nonprofit has grown.  We developed methods and tools that others could use, and we are willing to share them.

But we don't always get credit for our willingness to partner.  Or, said another way, some feel we don't get enough credit.

Now it does matter in one sense.  We are able to operate because individuals, corporations, government entities and foundations give us money to reach the people we reach with food.

If others use our trucks or distribute the food we collect, shouldn't our logo be prominent?

Jesus said that feeding the hungry is like giving him food when he is hungry, so why wouldn't we want to make sure the food we collect gets to as many people as possible, regardless of who distributes it?

Jesus set the bar high for all of us.

He wants us to give from the heart and how worry about the cost.  The support will come if we believe.

Nothing we do in his name will go unnoticed and if we are doing God's work, the Spirit will guide us, and guide others to us.

We can tell our story and let people know that we will reach as many people as possible, partnering with anyone willing to help do the work.

That's the ministry behind the work.  

"Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all."

Jesus made it clear.  Focus on serving and don't worry about the rest.  He has it covered.

More to come...