Alfred Fuller started the Fuller Brush Company in 1906. It fast became one of the most recognized and prosperous businesses in the twentieth century. The Fuller Brush salesman was one of the most respected salesmen in America. But after Alfred Fuller stepped from the scene, the company began to flounder. Sales waned, and eventually the business nearly collapsed and went into receiver-ship.
A man by the name of Nate Zibbins was appointed caretaker of the Fuller Brush Company, and in six months he saw a remarkable reversal. It was back on its feet, thriving again. In fact, it was one of the most dramatic turn-arounds in American business history. A reporter asked Nate Zibbins, “How did you do it?” He said, “I am not a genius, but I thought it might be a good idea to go back and read the book that Alfred Fuller had written about how he had established the company. And that book was entitled, A Foot in the Door.” Zibbins said, “When I found his basic principles I decided to reinstate that philosophy. We did, and immediately we began to prosper again.”
I think that is exactly what is needed in the Church today. The churches in America for the most part are floundering. Attendance is down, the spirit is lukewarm, offerings are low. Concerned church leaders are asking, “What’s wrong? What can we do to renew the church? Do we need an innovative program? Do we need a new preacher? Do we need a new mission? Do we need new methods?”
There is certainly a place for innovation, but that is not the most critical need. The Church doesn’t need innovation nearly as much as it needs restoration. The Church simply needs to go back to the original idea. We need to go back to the book that tells us how it was done in the first place.
