Bib? Or Apron!

Last March 31, 2010, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in the Philippines held its most ambitious Team Building event in the company’s history called Engage!   We closed down all of our stores that day and converged at One Esplanade as early as seven am given the excitement for the activity filled day.  Slightly before noon, as I was winding down my presentation, I challenged my team with the aid of the following two slides, a bib (yes, a bib), and an apron (a non-negotiable accessory of the barista’s uniform).

I recall closing in this manner: “For as long as I have the Lord’s blessing and privilege to lead this company, I will wear an apron, and challenge you to do the same.   What about you?  What are you wearing? “

The recent Church series on Discipling “One: Be, Make, Start” comes to mind as we can easily apply this comparative principle in our walks with God and our views of the church.  Are we babies wearing bibs in our faith?  Are we consumer Christians?  Are we only being fed every Sunday and not involved in ministry, not serving others?  Are we sharing our lives, building excellent relationships, encouraging and loving one another?

Every Sunday our Pastors remind us that our Church exists to Honor God and Make Disciples.  I believe our Church leaders are challenging us in the same vein I challenged my Team Members during Engage!, to shed the bibs and don the apron of servanthood.

For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others… (Matthew 20:28)

Therefore  go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 28:19)