Exceeding Expectations

Whenever someone recommends a restaurant to a friend, they may anticipate questions about the food: the taste, the temperature, the amount, and the presentation. They may be asked about the ambiance: lighting, seating, decorations, and the level of noise. They should most definitely be prepared to answer questions about the quality of the service.

Businesses that thrive know that providing service that exceeds their customers’ expectations is key to repeat business and profitability. Nothing promotes positive “word of mouth” like satisfied customers; and satisfied customers are those who feel like their needs have been recognized and met to their satisfaction or beyond.

A lot of people, who go to church on a regular basis, go with the assumption that they are the customers. They are at church on Sunday morning to consume religious goods and services. The truth is that it is unhealthy to get in the routine of attending church events and taking spiritual resources from those activities while failing to give away whatever they have received.

As George Barna puts it, “The Christian faith is not meant to be hoarded but shared. Our faith is founded on the notion of expressing love in real ways, not simply discussing it as an intellectual concept.” Or evaluating the quality of the events they attend.

The call to Christ is the call to serve. Spiritual champions know that they are not the “customer.” Jesus told his followers, “Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others” (Matthew 20:28). Disciples are the “servants;” others are the “customers.” Consequently, one of the best ways to develop your faith is to serve others in practical ways.

It is crucial to the life of the church for all of us to consider how we are helping our young people develop the habit of service. Are you inviting young people to join you as you help those around you? Are you helping them recognize situations and circumstances where they could provide real assistance? Are you encouraging them to identify their spiritual gifts and claim them as resources to use as they serve others?

Spiritual champions are those who demonstrate a lifelong practice of helping others. Let us do all we can to instill such a mind-set and lifestyle in those who are coming to faith in our congregations.