I have a problem. I don’t like to admit it… But it’s a real issue. Every morning I pull out of my driveway and go to the end of my neighborhood. I come face to face with my problem there every day.
The problem… CHICK-FILA!
There is literally one right outside my neighborhood. And somehow… It sucks me in like a black hole! Without even thinking my car turns in and I get a big smile on my face. I’m smiling for several reasons. The main reason… Chicken Biscuit. But there are other reasons as well.
1. I’m always greeted with a smile!
It’s as though they are genuinely happy to see me. And to be honest… That feels good. I face enough grumpy people all day long. I need to start every day with a smile. But it also tells me they are happy to be there! There is no one holding them hostage. They love working for their company.
2. They make it a point to get to know me!
They don’t have to. They could simply take my order… Make my food… And send my on my way. But then again… If they did that, they would be McDonalds! Ha! But they don’t. They know me. They know I’m a Pastor. They know my wife and girls by name. And any time my girls are there… They are invited back to the back to fix their own ice-cream! How cool is that. These people actually want to get to know me. And they aren’t interested in just telling me all about who they are!
3. I know what to expect when I come in!
There are no surprises whatsoever. I know what I’m getting. I know the people who are serving me. And I know that they will do everything in their power to make sure I leave satisfied and with a smile on my face! Because the experience wasn’t about them showing off… It was all about me! It was their consistency on display!
And here’s the kicker… They know if they make it about me… Then I will go and tell everyone I know about how great my experience was there. And once that process starts. I just want Chick Fila to make them feel the way they made me feel.
4. It makes me want to serve others the way I was just served!
When I pull out of that parking lot… I’m in a better mood then when I went in. I was served with excellence and excitement. And all that makes me what to do is serve people the exact same way I was served. To make sure when people walk out of my office… That they have a smile on their face, a great experience, and want to go tell others about what is going on here.
The sad part in all this… The Church should be leading the way in these areas… Not Chick-Fila!
We have the greatest thing on Earth to offer people. Gods grace! And somehow the excitement in our hearts have yet to notify our face! We seem angry. We ignore people. We’re really not interested in getting to know people. And we all expect to just be served without ever serving in return! It’s no wonder people are leaving churches. They feel as though they aren’t welcome.
May we all feel convicted about the way we present Jesus to our community in a lesser manner than teenage girls present chicken.
Recent Comments