Church and Customer Service

 

Whether it’s a bank, grocery store, or diner there’s always one thing that brings me back: customer service. I’ll drive 20 minutes in the opposite direction to be recognized, greeted with a smile, and, of course, the best breakfast this side of the Mississippi.

 

I’ve had experiences with the grocery store cashier who couldn’t wait to get me out of there. I’ve met waitresses who helped me feel like I was at home. I recently experienced a bank teller who went out of her way to help me out—despite the other customers lining up and grumbling in the background. (Yes, I’ve been one of those grumblers at times. After today that’s changing.) I was greeted with a smile, they recognized me, and they helped me with my situation.

 

As I walked out to my car, I couldn’t help but ask, “Do we do that in our church? Do people walk in and feel welcomed? Do we offer acceptance ‘no matter what’? Do we, as a church, go out of our way to help those who are ‘new’ to be plugged in?”

 

Can we learn something from the world of customer service?

 

Whether it’s at a bank, a greasy spoon, or church, a smile makes all the difference. McDonald’s restaurants are widely known as the fast food enterprise that “serves smiles for free.” If anywhere, a church should be a place where smiles abound. As soon as an individual walks in, a smile should be the first thing they see—and the last.

 

Few people can deny the fact that when they’re greeted by their name, they feel special. Whether it’s in adult service or during the youth service, we should strive to learn everyone’s name. Even the twins.

 

A successful business is one where the customers return. A successful church/ministry is where relationships are built. It’s a lot easier to build those possible future friendships when they’re started off on the right foot.

 

We need to train ourselves, our fellow leaders and volunteers, and our students to welcome those who are new, to go out of their way to help those feel loved, accepted and at home.