What is a Myth?

According to the World Heritage Dictionary, a myth is defined as: “A popular belief or story that has become associated with a person, institution, or occurrence, especially one considered to illustrate a cultural ideal.”

In my view, many institutions today have embraced the myth of mediocrity—the idea that as long as something is “good enough,” people should accept it without complaint. Despite the idealistic intentions, commitments to excellence, and lofty mission and vision statements prominently displayed on websites and walls, these principles often fail to translate into action.

Examples of mediocrity abound, too numerous to list. However, I’ll begin with one I know well.

Many churches, if not all, claim to do everything “to the glory of God.” To me, this means offering nothing but the best. So what about churches that boast about their gatherings for: Food, Fun, and Fellowship. (Presumably, God and worship fit in somewhere, but that’s another discussion.) For now, let’s focus on the food. Where do most churches source their “healthy, holy, God-honouring” snacks and refreshments?

In my experience, the answer is often: wherever they can find the cheapest supplies. Church pantries are typically stocked with generic, processed food-like substances, lovingly prepared and served by well-meaning volunteers who may not have been taught—or encouraged—to prioritize quality. The focus is on keeping costs low rather than emphasizing health, quality, or excellence. As a result, price, not value, becomes the dominant consideration.

C.T. Studd once said, “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.”

For Studd, these words were not a mere slogan but a life commitment. His dedication cost him materially but produced excellence in his missional endeavours. Today, however, it seems we are content with mediocrity in small matters while still expecting to excel in the larger issues of our mission.

Former NHL player Eddie “The Entertainer” Shack once starred in a Pop Shoppe commercial, telling a group of kids, “Maybe I didn’t go far in school, but there’s one thing I learned from my mom and dad: Look after the nickels and dimes, and the dollars will look after themselves.” In other words, focusing on the small things lays the foundation for success in the larger ones.

In my work with organizations, I see the same pattern: noble ideals and altruistic goals are undermined by complacency and compromise, both in minor and major matters. In Born After Midnight, A.W. Tozer astutely observed: “We all wish to be something great, but we only achieve what we are willing to work for.” In other words, we may desire excellence, but we often put in only half the effort required to achieve it. As a result, we buy into the myth of mediocrity and then wonder why God isn’t blessing us—or, in business, why our outcomes fall short of our aspirations.

I read a story about Debbi Fields, founder of Mrs. Fields Cookies, that illustrates this point beautifully. During a visit to one of her stores, she noticed customers waiting for freshly baked cookies. However, when the cookies came out of the oven, they were overbaked by her standards. When she asked the manager to taste them, he dismissed her concerns, saying, “They’re good enough.” Fields, unwilling to compromise her commitment to excellence, responded, “Good enough never is,” and promptly dumped the entire batch into the trash.

Mediocrity is easy to find anywhere, but deep down, we all desire excellence. If we collectively commit to excellence, we can achieve the standard we seek and expose the myth of mediocrity for what it truly is—a lie.