Customer Service Discipleship

I'm an Apple computer fan. Ipod(s), Mac-mini, Itunes, iPhoto...they're all part of my Apple digital lifestyle.

I've been especially complimentary of Apple service. Tech's I've spoken to on the phone have been pleasantly helpful. Even the local Apple store - though impossibly crowded - has provided reasonably trouble-free experience...until last week.

Walking past tables full of i-ware and i-shoppers, I headed straight for a blue shirted salesperson. He greeted me and I explained my need for a document scanner.

"We don't sell them here," he advised quickly.

Ok, I said, I had wanted to make sure I purchased something that was Apple compatible.

"You might want to look at Best Buy or Office Max, something like that," he offered indifferently.

Any Apple software revisions coming soon that might affect scanner features?

"None that I know of."

Within 2 minutes I was off Apple's shiny hardwood floors and back in the mall. I felt worse off than when I had walked in. At least on the way in I had hope. Here was a place built on solutions and collaboration. But somehow I had asked a question not solved with the use of Apple i-anything. I had wondered into an i-nostic zone of sorts and been summarily redirected back to the world "out there" in the i-less mall.

In fairness to Apple, I've had similar experiences with Google staffers on work projects. Instead of calling back to return phone messages, they send an email telling me where to click on the Google site for further information. But, that's why I called a human being...

Uh-oh.

Are we doing the same thing to people who have Spiritual questions?

What if people walking into our churches aren't exactly "ready to buy?" (ready to decide) Maybe they just have questions and want to talk something through. Sure, you can sign up for a 1:1 session with the Apple Store's "Expert Bar." It's free.

But maybe I'm too shy to sign up for that bible class. Or maybe I've mustered all my courage just to walk onto the churches hardwood floors, filled with hope - because this is the place that has answers to my non-digital lifestyle (I can visit Apple for the digital part).

But then the church service representative (usher, greeter, musician, pastor?) that I encounter can't think of a single outreach group or audio tape to address my paricular need -- will I find myself back out in the parking lot faster than an Apple sales person can deflect a scanner question?

Each one of us (I'm the musician) has to be ready to meet, welcome and help the person walking into the door of our church, or bible study, or neighborhood.

They're not always going to ask for the plan of Salvation. It might start with a question about software compatibility and support services...

What do you believe?

Servants, Guitars, Church Parking Lots

I've been playing church music since I was in the 6th grade.

Back then we had to haul a bass violin from the school and back again. What a workout!

Fortunately for me, electric guitars came into favor and I only had to carry the slim silver case and a small Fender amplifier.

Over the years, it became two acoustic guitars (Martin 6 string and 12 string), a keyboard (so my daughter could play) and an ever changing assortment of microphones, cables, speakers and mixers. Oh, and the music. Those binders are heavy!

Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love making music for the Lord. It's a privilege. A gift. I've known more sublime moments of Spiritual connection to God in the midst of fellow musicians than on my knees in the pew.

Four decades of this now and the weekly load in and load out just goes with the territory. And our current church music department is the best ever. I have only to carry the two acoustic guitars and my music bag. Everything else is in the church. (Thank you Jesus!)

That's why I was a little surprised on Palm Sunday last week.

I was standing beside my car, slipping one guitar case onto my back (its a soft-pack case) and preparing to pick up the other case and the music bag.

I had to stop and juggle for a second because I also had my suit coat and tie on a hanger. I don't usually bring that, but we had a family baptism to attend after the service.

Just then I heard a voice ask me, "Could you use some help?"

I was about to say no (hey, I didn't even have an amplifier), but I was running late so why protest? I turned briefly to this older gentleman to gage his carrying capacity. I handed him the 12-string guitar and locked up the car.

It wasn't until we started walking toward the church that I realized this thoughtful person was my Senior Pastor! We had a nice chat and he amiably went the entire way from the lot, through the side lobby, down the hallway and into the music room. What a kindness!

I've been attending this church - my favorite of all time - for seven years now. No one has ever walked up to me before and asked if I needed help. But our newest, 'highest' church official did.

His role model, Jesus of Nazareth, said:

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:25-28

What do you believe?

Everest - Name above all Names

Walk into a cafe in just about any city around the world and ask,

"What would you say is 'The' mountain of all mountains?"

Most, if not all would answer "Mt. Everest." At 29,000 feet, it is the highest, grandest peak in the world.

Serious climbers would enjoy a debate about its challenges compared to other mountains.

K2, for example, is considered a tougher technical climb - it requires more mountaineering skill and training. Only 200 have summited K2.

But it is not Everest.

Annapurna has a higher death rate of climbers, almost half of those trying to summit have died (46%) and only 130 have made it.

But it's not Everest.

Everest is the name above all names when it comes to mountains. There is only one highest peak in the world. Its name is Everest.

The bible says of Jesus,

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Philippians 2:9-11

It's good to discuss and debate what we believe and why we believe it. Some believe that a relationship with God through Grace, based on unmerited mercy and forgiveness, is too easy. They find more tangible satisfaction seeking God through their works, or through principals of discipline and thought.

In some ways, I believe they'd rather risk Annapurna's failure rate than summit Everest.

What do you believe?