The other day I went in to a McDonalds. I was on the road and I wanted something quick and inexpensive. I grew up in a world where fast food was a treat. I was a latch-key kid, so when I first got my driver’s license and had a part time job—I would go and visit my friends who worked at the fast food restaurants. And then a few years later my first job as a District Manager for a newspaper meant that I was quite frequently eating meals in my travels. Fast food was the logical, though unhealthy choice.
At the McDonalds I decided to use the new touch-screen ordering kiosk. I really like the idea of transacting my order with a human being, but I had never ordered through a computer so I figured I might try to catch up with the way of the world. All was fine and I made my way through the “dining room.” Eventually a gentleman came over with my tray, and even fetched my drink.
In the old days, and what I have come to expect from McDonalds is that you go to the counter, you order your food and you wait there until a pimply teenager plops a cheeseburger in a bag or on a tray for you. Then, you would take your order and go to a plastic table and eat your fast food in a drafty restaurant. That’s what fast food was—and that is what they are good at: cheap price, fast service, no frills, over-salted French fries. Why change that? That is what made them popular. That is why every kid’s heart races when they see the golden arches. They can’t read the word “McDonalds” but they know one when they see one.
I sat in the restaurant after I was served in the dining room, and noticed that people had left their trays behind for the gentleman to clean up after them. They have replaced the counter people with dining room servants. It’s like they are trying to ‘class up the joint.’ Why? Why can’t fast food restaurants be happy with what they are, and what we have come to expect from them. Inexpensive, fast food is their niche. We don’t expect great service, we have come to expect minimum customer service. People are getting so carried away with the new service that they can’t even bring their trays over to the trash receptacles.
What are churches good at? I was wondering if churches have adopted the same consumer mentality. Churches definitely have their niche. They are unique places of worship. While there is a congregational church in just about every town- they are all different. Some may excel in outreach, while others have incredible youth programs. Some have charismatic preachers, while others have ministers who possess the gifts for pastoral care. Some churches have drum sets and electric guitars, while others sing to tracker organ. I think churches run the risk of being unauthentic when they try to do too much, and appeal to everyone.
Fast food places are always trying to increase their customer base by adding more items to the menu. Churches increase their menu as well through programs and multiple worship services. Most people in America have been to a McDonalds. Most people in America have been to a place of worship. Most people have their preference, because they like the fries, or the way the burgers are cooked. Church can be the same way.
Church customers may say, “I’m lovin’ it,” or “Where’s the beef?” In the church, we can’t always say, “Have it your way.” But hopefully we in the church can say, “You deserve a break today.”
Finally, let’s do what we do best. Let’s be the church that God intends for us to be. May we continue to demonstrate God’s Spirit through worship, witness, and ministry to the needs of God’s people in the church and the community.
