General Mills followed with a similar product that lasted only a short time. It was too similar to the original product, and it did not improve it in any way. As I talk about congregational life with pastors and other church leaders, I continue to find church leaders who want to copy someone else's successful programs. Of course, learning from others is essential. We want to be open to new ideas and changes, and benchmarking is helpful if it is used properly.
Congregations are communities in which people support one another in their Christian journeys.
They are people who are focused on Christ, who love and care for one another, and who are learning how to love the world. Each congregation is distinctive. In congregational life, there is no right way to do things. The congregation is not a place to add good things to do so that people will be happy in their church relationships. What the congregation does flows from and is a part of who it is and who it is trying to be in its developing faithfulness to its Lord.