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Chik-Fil-A: My Church Experience

You must understand that as a regular reader of Jon Acuff's blog Stuff Christians Like, my walking into a Chik-Fil-A was filled with expectations. He has written about them several times, but you can read the first by clicking here.

He's written more, but linking you to all of them just may distract you from reading my blog today. Plus, do I have to do everything for you? His blog has a handy search button. (See, there I go again talking about his blog....where was I even going with this?)

So as I walked into the Chik-Fil-A I was expecting it to be like a church service. I wasn't disappointed. This, despite the fact that there weren't greeters at the door. The greeters at my church aren't usually at the door either. But here's a few other ways I did find similarities.

1. Once there, it was my choice whether or not I was fed.

Now obviously I was there to eat. And I was plenty hungry. But just because I knew my need did not mean that I had to fill it. It was my choice to go up to the counter and request some food to eat. Just in case this isn't self-explanatory for the Church, imagine your pastor having to force feed you the Bible and prayer. It doesn't work, plus it'd be kind of awkward for both of you. You know you're hungry. Come ready to eat.

2. The employees look for ways to serve.

It's in their language. They ask questions like, 'How can I serve you?' They are 93.5% friendlier than any other place on the Earth, including Church. (That's part of the problem.) I was inside for less than 10 minutes and yet I had 3 different workers ask me if I had been taken care of yet. The employees weren't looking to do the least work possible.

Like evangelists who had tasted the goods, they were eager to pass on the heavenly tasty experience.

How much better would it be if we who have been in the church were like that? If we've tasted and seen that the Lord is good, how about making sure others are served a plate?

3. The Church should expect to be taken advantage of by others.

As I was waiting for my food I watched a very interesting exchange between one of the workers and another customer. The day I happened to be there, Chik-Fil-A was celebrating kids. They were doing that by offering a free kid's meal for every adult meal ordered. It was presumed that you would have kids with you to eat the kid's meal. This guy did not, but when he asked if he could still have the free kid's meal the worker responded, 'I have no way of knowing if you have kids or not.'

Yes, the customor could have taken that as his hint that the free meals did not apply to his situation. He did not. Instead, he asked for the toy to be removed, since he obviously would not need that, since he had no kid.

The worker was never rattled, even though he was not oblivious. The deal was out there and he met the obligation. He did not lecture the customer or even look like he was surprised. I think the Church should be more like this, ready to give away our all. We have been given a free gift worth far more than some chicken, and we should be ready to be taken advantage of by others.

People want free stuff and Christians should be willing to give. We should not be surprised if our 'customers' take advantage. So, are you ready to be at least as friendly and welcoming and ready to serve as a Chik-Fil-A worker?

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