How Serving In Ministry Is Like Customer Service
For most people it’s easy to recall a memorable customer service experience. Sometimes they are amazing memories and bring a smile to our face thinking about them. Other times the word terrible doesn’t even come close to describing how bad the experience was.
And yet, either way, a customer service experience can leave a lasting impression on us. That type of a positive impression is what we are striving for when we are serving in a ministry.
But how is serving in a ministry like customer service and how can we work to incorporate that in the way we serve?
WHAT IS EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE?
What exactly is customer service? More importantly, what is exceptional customer service? Customer service is simply filling a need. It can be providing information, service, time or anything else that is necessary.
Customer service can be:
Responding to a request
Observing a need and acting
Being sensitive to the Spirit and listing to God for unspoken needs
Paul describes this fulfillment of needs through humility:
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
SO, HOW DO YOU PROVIDE EXCELLENT SERVICE IN MINISTRY?
Some of the best ways to provide exceptional customer service are by:
Listening to and connecting with others
Being timely
Being mindful of the needs of others
Showing empathy and compassion
USING YOUR LISTENING SKILLS TO CONNECT WITH OTHERS
When we interact and communicate with people, sometimes all we need to do is listen. Occasionally, people just want to be heard.
Other times, we aim for in-depth conversations and find common ground. This brings us closer to those we serve and builds a deeper relationship.
VALUING OTHERS’ TIME AND GIVING YOUR OWN
Many of us have had at least one poor experience in customer service. Perhaps you’ve thought, “Was I really on hold for an hour or did it just feel like that?” Or maybe you went to a restaurant and encountered unkind staff? Regardless of the circumstances, the exchange probably left a bad taste in your mouth.
The same holds true when we are in ministry – people notice. If you are late to serve in Kidz Parkway or you're opening the Cafe, the people waiting notice. On the flip side, if you stay late to serve because people are praying at the altar, people notice as well. And for the better.
Being mindful of how we serve and making sure that we value other people’s time is important. It's a reflection on our peers, our leaders, and our church.
FILLING THE NEEDS OF OTHERS
When we serve, knowing how to identify what people need and how we should respond goes a long way. Supporting those we serve is the same as good customer service.
We want to listen to those we serve since we never know how God is using us or the people we are serving. Being willing to listen takes both patience and consideration.
The value of building each other up and supporting one another is described in scripture:
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
HAVING EMPATHY AND COMPASSION
Showing empathy and compassion is essential in any ministry, but it's often overlooked. We can sometimes become too task-oriented and too rigid in the work we perform in our ministry. This easily leads to not noticing or overlooking the needs of others.
In customer service, empathy and compassion are valuable tools for retaining business. The root of it is that people respond when they feel that are being treated with humility.
In ministry, we aim to think outside of our basic duties... to see what people truly need. We achieve this by being empathetic, compassionate, and showing God's love.
Peter talks about the need for humility:
“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.”
WHAT’S OUR PRODUCT AND WHAT’S OUR GOAL?
Every business has a product or service that they're selling, right? So, what are we offering when we serve in a ministry? What's our product or service?
In customer service, the ultimate goal is to retain clients and increase business. When done correctly, it leaves a lasting impression associated with that product.
Think about the best product or service you’ve gotten.
Now realize this: We are able to offer an even better product: Eternal salvation through Jesus Christ!
How much better is our product? And how much better can we be serving in ministry?
Remember our goal: To Love God, Love Others, and Love Mission.
Our service to others through ministry can be more effective and create that lasting impression. But only when we consider how we can serve others with exceptional "customer" service!