The Pride before the Fall…What churches can learn from the “Google Reformation” vs. “Apple Catholicism.”

 Watching the news over the past few weeks, we have seen Steve Jobs tell consumers they are holding their phone wrong, acts of apparent deception in denying issues with the iPhone 4 and other acts of hubris the boggle the mind.  Apple made mistakes and they thought they could blame others to get out of it.

My experience of this "arrogance" also spread to my personal interactions with the brand.  I have gone to the Apple Store and felt like I was inconveniencing them when I wanted to buy something or get something fixed.  I was asked if I had an "appointment" when I came into the store when they first opened (and no one was there.)  They made me "book" an appointment and had to wait 10 minutes before seeing someone at the Genius bar…AND PEOPLE WERE JUST STANDING AROUND.

Now, don't get me wrong.  I love my iPhone and I just bought my wife an iPad (which she loves).  I have appreciated Apple's products for a long time (starting with an Apple IIc), but something is not quite right.

Is Apple starting to rot at the core?

Most of us remember the 1984 commercial from Apple used to launch the Macintosh and projected themselves as a revolution against the Microsoft monolith.  They aired commercials called "the crazy ones" (which I still think is amazing spot) and had a tagline to "Think Different."  In other words…they started a MOVEMENT.

Apple has produced an amazing group of products, but is their pride leading them down the wrong path?  Apple chose AT&T as the carrier in the U.S. because they believed they deserved a much bigger cut of revenue than other cell phone manufacturers.  The App Store rejects any application which may compete with their own products.    They blame their shortcomings on consumers and say "signal attenuation happens with all cell phones" instead of accepting responsibility for a design oversight and fix it.

And guess what…they never apologize.

Jim Collins, in his book "How the Mighty Fall," outlines how great companies fail.  There are five stages of decline.  The first is the "Hubris Born of Success."  He states that:  "Stage 1 kicks in when people become arrogant, regarding success virtually as an entitlement, and they lose sight of the true underlying factors that created success in the first place."

Look familiar?  Apple's commitment to design deserves to be praised.  Their arrogant treatment of consumers, partners and the media does not.

 In comes the upstart (if you could call them that)…Google.

What is interesting to me is the opposing philosophies of the companies.  

• Design & Development:  Apple has locked down design. Google is always in Beta.  
• Platforms:  Apple retains tight control of the hardware. Google will go anywhere with their OS.
• Revenue Model:  Apple make money every time you "buy something" and is vertically integrated (Music, Books, etc.)  Google makes money every time to you use it.
• Usability:  Apple focuses on simplicity and control of the design.  Google enables lots of features and enables much stronger configuration of the interface.

What is interesting to me is that Google has beaten Apple in the past two side-by-side competitions held by cNet.  Google beats Apple for iPhone 3Gs vs. HTC Incredible (4.5 to 4.3) and  for the HTC EVO 4G vs. Apple iPhone 4 (again 4.5 to 4.3) as determined by cNet Prizefights.  Right now, it is the Apple branding that has enabled it to have its strongest quarter ever.

OK…so what does this have to do with the church, Eric?

While I was sitting in the Apple Store getting miffed, it struck me that there is a similarity in church history.  While Micrsoft may have been the "pagans" Apple has fought against, now Apple is the "catholic church" fighting off the "heretic reformation" of Google in and around the 16th Century.

Think about the comparisons in this way…

Apple = Single, unifed leader (Steve Jobs).  Obsessive control of all elements of the faith (hardware, iTunes, iBook, Apple Store).  Very tight doctrine.  Limited partnerships with others.

Google = Open and adaptable (always in Beta).  Morphed across multiple platforms (multiple carriers & platforms).  Very open development platform & application store.  Deep web of partnerships.

 The idea of central control vs. broad, loosely linked network highlight the different philosophies between Apple/Catholic Church and Google/Protestants.  There are significant pros and cons to each.  After visiting Rome this summer, I see all of the good the Roman Catholic Church is capable of doing.  I also see the dangers inherent in it.  We need to stay focused on our mission, not structures, and adapt to new circumstances.

It all comes down to control, not focusing on others first and believing that the world is wrong and not us.  Right now, it feels like the 16th century all over again.

Many churches or denominations can get caught up in their own pride.  

The five mainline denominations have been in decline over the past 20 or 30 years.  They cannot figure out why people would leave their faith of their parents and go to a cold, non-denominational church.  They are unwilling to see how the world has changed and how they need to change HOW they carry out their mission.  It is not a matter that their BELIEFS are wrong.  

We need to reexamine what we are doing and be willing to admit we're wrong and adapt where it does not violate our principles and theology.

Here's a thought on how:

1. Admit we are stuck in our own pride and pray for God to help us get unstuck.

2. Articulate our core theology and calling is a clear distinct way.

3. Focus on our community and know them deeply.

4. Adapt how we ACT to fit with the community we are trying to reach.

5. Be willing to sacrifice all "NON-THEOLOGICAL" sacred cows to reach the lost and make disciples.

6. Walk in humility knowing that we serve Christ first, our community second and our own self interest last.  When we screw-up…apologize, fix it and move on.

Who is responsible to "get it?"

I could be completely wrong about Apple.  I may not understand their point of view.  I may not "get" the Apple Store concept.  I am not "in the flock" so to speak.  I will likely get attacked by Apple fanboys for my point of view.  I will told that they premium price is worth it.

Let me ask one question:  Who's responsibility is it to make sure I understand?  Mine or Apple's?

Let me ask one more:  In our churches, who is responsible to make sure the community "gets" what we are about and what we believe?