As a television spectacle, the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing were an astonishing and sobering display. All perfectly fashioned and executed for global television-as if the director had asked his most creative colleagues, “What’s the most amazing thing you can imagine? Now, let’s make it happen.” On the sobering side, I contrasted that attitude with what I hear more and more in America: What’s the least we can do and stay afloat for another year? Can we re-brand mediocrity and make some sales?

(Tom Ehrich is a writer, church consultant and Episcopal priest based in New York. He is the author of “Just Wondering, Jesus,” and the founder of the Church Wellness Project, http://www.churchwellness.com. His Web site is www.morningwalkmedia.com.)