Ted Rogers and Tenacity

December 2, 2008 in Current News,Leadership,Life,Mission with 5 Comments

Ted Rogers died this morning.  Don't know whether you know who Ted Rogers is, but he was a major Canadian business and media mogul – dominating wireless communications, cable, sports (owned the Blue Jays), broadcasting, and so much more in Canada. 

His legacy is a mixed one for sure, but I am intrigued by guys like Ted Rogers.  Why? 

Tenacity. Determination. Resolve. Purposefulness. Endurance. Stamina. Doggedness.

As this short bio points out, Rogers was never one to call it quits.  He was making risky business moves when he was well into his 50s, 60s and even 70s. Many people kept saying he was going to fail, and he came close many times.  But that never stopped him.  He just kept going, defying the critics, and – many would say – proved them wrong.

When you look at how much skill, determination and raw energy he poured into business, it makes me wonder where that kind of drive is in the Kingdom of God.

I know we're a people of grace.  A people who believe in God's power…but where are the tenacious, grace-reliant, odds defying spiritual entrepreneurs of this day?  Why aren't there more? 

When I read passages like this from Paul, Jesus or this from Daniel, I realize that the the scripture is filled with that raw combination of God's grace and people's radical devotion to building a different reality.

What can we learn from guys like Paul, Daniel and even a guy like Ted Rogers?  What are we missing?

About Carey Nieuwhof: Carey Nieuwhof is lead pastor of Connexus Community Church and author of the best selling books, Leading Change Without Losing It and Parenting Beyond Your Capacity. Carey speaks to North American and global church leaders about change, leadership, and parenting.

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  • http://www.passionatelyhis.com Jeff Loach

    Good points, Carey. I think there are several reasons we don't see many tenacious Ted Rogers types in church leadership – at least, here in Canada, anyway. A dearth of truly gifted leaders leading. A lack of conviction that our 'business' really matters. A lack of faith in the power of God to be able to accomplish the vision he places in leaders' hearts. You know what I mean.

    Ted Rogers not only had vision, he had the determination to carry it out. He planned, he set goals. He didn't become the head of a media giant overnight.

    What's more, he understood culture – something the church often chooses to refuse to do. When he started CHFI, it was a classical music station. I remember listening to it on "cable FM" as a kid. By the time I moved to Toronto for grad school, it was playing the top 40 of its day. Today, CHFI is playing mostly the same songs it was playing when I was a student 20 years ago – because that station now has a niche to reach people like me. Ted has other stations that reach other niches as well. But he understood culture and knew what would appeal to people – and wasn't afraid to change formats if that was what was needed.

    Harsh? Maybe. True? Let the reader decide! :-)

    Passionately His,
    Jeff

  • http://blog.hafchurch.org/peter Peter P

    Awesome post Carey.

    It was World Aids day yesterday and my wife and I were talking about how AIDS/HIV spreads so quickly. Her comment was "If only Christians spread the word so quickly".

    That and your post are making me think deeply about how we approach our faith.

  • Robyn Gibson

    What a thought provoking idea Carey. To be like Paul and Daniel and even Ted Rogers …

    I see a common thread in all those personalities … some call it courage, some call it boldness; I call it gutsy.

    Yes Jeff, I also see the huge gap between the culture of today and the church (a lack of understanding, I believe is how you aptly put it); the gap seems to widen with every new generation.

    Why aren't we blazing trails for God? Isn't this something every follower should be asking themselves. I mean didn't Paul say, do what I do. How many of us can really say that we greet each day with the relentless, intense passion that Paul had for the Lord's mission …

    Isn't it time to step up to the plate? How can we look around our world and see what we see and think otherwise. Isn't it time to throw off the shackles of fear and dive into a life of unrestrained faith … wouldn't that be cool !!

    To your last Jeff … no brother, not too harsh … needed.

    chosen4battle,
    robyn

  • Laurie

    Ted was a giant who walked on a path he created for himself.What he could have done if someone had passionately shown him who God was!We all need to be inspired to reach beyond what is – to some it's a moving piece of music, to another it's giving precious time (or money) to a needy cause. All I can do is see this day as an opportunity to really see someone else's heartache and offer to walk with them for awhile.God's temple has many bricks and stones. lay one today.

  • Carol

    Hi Carey,

    Glad for this posting.
    I remember meeting Ted back a few (many)years ago when he first started Rogers cable. I remember his determination even back then.
    I believe it is a choice that we make everyday to choose defeat or continue fighting (expecially when time get tough).

    I have to pull out the movie facing the giants this week just to remind me that GOD cannot be defeated.

    Living by example is what Paul, Daniel and Ted did for us and we should be doing the same for the kids of today if there is no other reason is huge.