West Jet Church
I was reading the blog of a friend who commented about McChurch. It is really a good blog http://soulpastor.blogspot.com some of the comments made are worth reading and some not so much. Anyways this is my blog and it is all about me not someone else. I started thinking about what is a good model of church and I came up with the West Jet church. So I commented - Mc Church! When I go to McDonalds, I have no vested interest except for the double quarter pounder, fries and a coke. I am taking what I want and paying a price for it. I don't care about the future of McDonalds or the employees just bring me my double quarter pounder, fries and a coke in 30 seconds or less. I think people are the same way with church and are willing to through $20 into the offering plate. They want value for their money. And give them what they want. And you are right this sucks. I want McChurch to be replaced by West Jet church. Why do Westjetters care so much? Because they are owners. Instead of taking what the company has to offer the idea is that they will make it better. What would happen if the people in church took ownership of the church to fulfill the mission statement of Jesus Christ - GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS!!!! Rich poor hungry well fed. We could change the world as a church if we truly took ownership of it instead of shopping from it.
I would love to know if people who work for, er sorry own West Jet actually feel a greater responsibility to look after people or if they get crusty like Air Canada employees, if you work for Air Canada don’t blog me back and tell me off just be nicer to me when I fly. I remember flying on Air Canada from Winnipeg and Toronto and having my flight cancelled when I got to the airport and asked what gives, the ticket guy said, “We ran out of pilots.� You what? I’m thinking how do run out of pilots? Did two guys quit, flying into Winnipeg or maybe you found an extra plane and thought maybe a couple of the passengers can help fly the plane. I have always had a good time on West Jet.
Getting back to the West Jet church – it involves a mind set change. I have sat in meetings at churches talking about how we need to satisfy our customers, those paying the bills in the church. And this is what is wrong with church models. The people on the membership list think that they are the customers and that the customer is always right. The customer of church is someone who is not a member. The ideal definition of church is an organization that exists not for the benefit of its members. Think about it! We exist to provide light in a dark world and yet we hide the light because we don’t want someone new to come in and mess up our perfect church.
What if at the end of West Jet flight they invited those who want to part of the West Jet to stay behind and they can give their lives to West Jet. I think people who felt cared for and valued as customers would be much more likely to join West Jet than if they were made to feel unimportant.
So I guess the question that we all have to ask is? Am I an owner of my faith or a customer?