“My Pleasure.”

I eat at Chick-fil-A a lot.

A lot meaning on average at least once a week.  It’s good food.  Maybe not “plate of broccoli” good, but “man, that is tasty!” good.

I typically order a spicy chicken sandwich, an order of fries and half lemonade/half ice tea to drink.  I get a couple of Chick-fil-A sauces to dip my waffle fries in and I’m good to go.  I once tweeted, “If Chuck Norris were a sauce, he’d be Chick-fil-A sauce.”  If someone dipped their sock in Chick-fil-A sauce, I’d be tempted to give it a nibble.

Now as great as the food is, this is only part of what I love about Chick-fil-A.

They have fresh flowers on the tables. They hand out mints.  They have good people working in their stores.

This last is perhaps the greatest thing about Chick-fil-A.  Every “thank you” receives a “my pleasure”.

This is different from “no problem” or even “you’re welcome”.

My pleasure communicates a servant’s heart.  It speaks of the joy of serving.  My pleasure is a shortened version of “I take delight in meeting your needs, in thinking of you, in anticipating your desires.”

Hold up.  Is this guy saying these people working at a fast food chain really enjoy serving people?

I am.

They way they joke and laugh and smile with each guest.  I’d say it’s only the Chick-fil-A closest to me, but I’ve experienced something similar at many of the stores I’ve visited. (and I’ve visited several).  This is more than a handful of good hires, this is a culture.  The training and indoctrination into all things Chick-fil-A must include a healthy dose of Service 101 – Thinking Of Others First.

There is so much more communicated in “my pleasure” than the “whatever” or “no problems” we often get, that I think you could call it a secret ingredient in their food.  My attitude is so positive when I am engaged this way, I am less likely to gripe when my sandwich has pickles when I didn’t want them (actually I love the pickles on the sandwich, I’m just trying to make a point), when a group of toddlers is screaming feet from where I’m eating, when my fries are a bit over salted.  My experience of the food is heightened by my treatment by the people.

[Christian leap]

The church can learn from Chick-fil-A.

Not how to make a good sandwich, how to treat folks.  How to serve others.  How to communicate “we expected you, are glad you’re here, and are ready to serve.”

Now, I’m not interested in deepening a consumer culture at church.  This is not an appeal to make our churches more palatable   I’m talking about the attitude of leaders and key staff folks.  I’m talking about finding the pleasure in serving others which is taught and shared and becomes culture.

This is treat others as you’d like to be treated.  This is love God by loving your neighbor.  This is joy marrying service, having a baby and naming it “Church”.  Chick-fil-A sauce optional.

We can do it. In fact, it should be our pleasure.

Life is better together,
Shawn