The Messenger - December 3, 2009
The Messenger
Table of Contents
Searching for "The Big Kahuna"
A couple of months ago, I gathered with a group of Presbyterian Clergy to see a film I'd never heard of called "The Big Kahuna." It's based upon 3 characters: Phil Cooper, a world-weary salesman whose marriage has recently fallen apart, Larry Mason, a brilliant but foul-mouthed cynic, and Bob Walker, an earnest and devout evangelical. All 3 work for a company that supplies industrial lubricants, and all 3 are sent to a convention in Wichita, where they hope to meet the "Big Kahuna"--a man named Richard Fuller--whose company could purchase several million dollars of lubricants from them. So, they create a "hospitality suite" for employees of Fuller's company and extend repeated invitations for him to personally attend.
At the end of a very long night, their hopes appear to be dashed. The "Big Kahuna" did not appear. But suddenly, Bob realizes that Fuller did appear--wearing someone else's name tag. He didn't want to be "sold" on any particular product; he just wanted to socialize. And, as luck would have it, Bob talked to him--not about industrial lubricants--but about much more personal matters--wives, pets, loss, death, and, ultimately, God. Bob didn't know that he was talking to the "Big Kahuna" until their little party was all done, but Fuller enjoyed Bob's company so much that he left Bob his business card and invited him to an "after party" in a different hotel. After learning about this invitation, Larry and Phil insist that Bob attend that party and request a "brief but important meeting" between themselves and the boss. Bob agrees. But, when he returns, Larry and Phil discover that Bob never brought up the subject of industrial lubricants. Instead, he talks to the company president about Jesus and the hope that Christ might bring to him.
When Larry asks Bob why he failed to discuss their company's business, Bob says that he didn't want Mr. Fuller to think that he was "using" religion just to make a sale. But Larry argues that Bob was using their company's investment in the trip to Wichita to sell his own religion instead. Their discussion becomes so heated that it leads into a brawl, and Phil--the more passive salesman--has to break them up. Then, Larry goes to bed, while Phil lectures their young prot=E9g=E9 on the subject of "character", arguing (to my dismay) that "selling Jesus" is no better than selling lubricants.
Much of the language in this film is extremely crude, and I found myself offended more than once. But I also found myself challenged by the strong religious themes throughout the film. All 3 characters quote the Bible on more than one occasion, and all 3 of them discuss the role of God. Within that discussion, Larry is a modern day prophet whose function is to disrupt simplistic platitudes. Phil is a lost soul who once felt he had a purpose but lost that sense of purpose over time. And Bob is a true evangelist whose overwhelming sense of purpose causes him to overlook "professional" standards (and his promise to his peers) for the sake of Jesus Christ. But what makes him truly effective at this task is the ability to "connect" with Richard Fuller--listening to his story and guiding conversation into matters of the heart.
When thinking about this film, I admired Bob's deep convictions and his real gift of interpersonal connection with strangers. But I also wished he could connect with colleagues--even those who are quite jaded overall. Perhaps that's too much to ask of one young man, but it's not too much to ask of a church. During the month of December, many of us will encounter folks who are resistant to the faith or disappointed by it--yet wrestling with the thought of God once again. They need someone to hear them. They need someone to help them. And they need someone to show them an honest way to God. Much like Larry and Phil in this startling film, they are looking for "Big Kahuna," but they simply cannot find Him on their own. They usually know something that they dislike about Christianity, but they do NOT know about its healing power. My prayer is that each of you will be listening for these wounded people in the weeks ahead, and my hope is that some of you can help them reach their goal.
CALLING ALL KIDS!
This Christmas Eve, at the 5:00 service, we will tell
the wonderful story of Jesus' birth in an Impromptu
Christmas Pageant.
No lines to learn, no solos to sing, no
rehearsals! Just put on a costume and come to the front of the church when your
character is called.
You can be an ANGEL, a SHEPHERD, or a WISE PERSON.
Reserve your costume with Ms. Sirianni at church on Sunday or Wednesday at choir rehearsal. It should be a grand and festive celebration.
Teens/Adults: Can you help with logistics that evening? Please let Lesley Sirianni know.
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the previous sermons from Pastor Neal.
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