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January 2, 2008 by Pastor Jon.
Several weeks ago I was on a business trip in Tupelo
The restaurant is small. It might hold 35 people. I walked in and asked if I could sit anywhere. The person behind the bar said, “Sure, you can sit at the bar if you would like.” I sat down at the bar and ordered a coke and a grilled chicken Ceasar salad. The person behind the bar’s name was Barry. He was covering the bar and the restaurant floor by himself. Barry handed me the remote for the TV; however, I spent more time watching Barry work. Someone would order a drink. Barry would pull down a glass from the cabinet and he would hold it up to the light to give it a thorough inspection before pouring the drink. He soon rushed over to the kitchen where he picked up a customers steak. He started to deliver it to the hungry patron when he noticed the butter and sour cream were missing for the baked potato. The cook passed the condiments over the kitchen counter. Barry then started for the restaurant floor again, but he noticed something else was not right. He walked back to the kitchen and resolved the issue himself. Later another customer ordered the special of the evening with a few modifications. The cook complained about the changes and complained that someone earlier in the day had not done their part. Barry looked rather perturbed and reminded him the “Customer is always right.” As I enjoyed my salad I watched this repeated over and over. Barry flew back and forth from the bar to the kitchen to the floor, and my glass of coke never ran dry. He also kept holding the cook to a high standard. The next morning I met Guy the restaurant manager. He also made sure I was well taken care of for breakfast. I later checked out and was walking out the door, when I heard some one call out. “Have a good day sir, please come back and see us.” I turned around and there was Guy.
So now you are asking what this has got to do with anything. Barry and Guy worked hard at making me feel welcomed and made sure I was well served. I wonder how many churches and Christians could meet the standard of the Hilton Garden Inn in Tupelo
As with most things I am able to apply the things I learn to the Redeemer’s Way church plant. So here is what I learned:
1. Redeemer’s Way must work (be proactive, be intentional) at making all feel welcome. Not just at the church, but in the community.
2. Excellence must be a hallmark with all we do. (Hold the glass to the light for inspection) Lack of money, personnel, talent, or the fact that someone else
dropped the ball can not be an excuse. If we do not have the money, personnel, talent, or accountability perhaps we do not need to be doing it right now.
3. Training and Mentoring – Training for the ministry leaders must never stop. They must have a clear understanding of the vision and mission of Redeemer’s Way.
They must also know how to put it into action and live it out. We will not just teach theory, but we will teach the practical application. The leaders must pass it on
to others who will pass it on and they will pass it on.
As Christians this must be applied to our individual lives. I must live this out in all I do. I must live it out at home, at my job and out in the community. It will take hard work and perhaps some bruises along the way. But God has called us to be great. Success does not come by accident, but by being proactive, intentional and expending a lot of energy in the right places. The leaders that will come along beside me will not strive for excellence unless I live a life of excellence. My kids will not grow up and work hard to achieve excellence in all they do unless they see their dad doing it. With all things this excellence begins with my relationship with Christ. Then and only then I can bear excellent fruit. I am committed to living a life that is “Hospitable”
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