What are we about?

Thrifty Foods got sold yesterday to Sobeys. The deal was worth 260 million dollars but the amazing part of this story is that Thrifty's is owned by 1 guy - the guy that started the company 30 years ago. Most of the time, sales of corporate companies makes headlines. But the general public doesn't usually care. But Thrifty's being sold has generated a lot of public conversation because, among many things, Thrifty's was well connected into the community. Ask anyone about Thrifty's and what they are about and they'll tell you that the stores are clean, they have good friendly service and they are always helping out the community.

When the first store opened, they're business plan was "to create a store built on service, selection, catering to community needs and committed smiling employees." The two owners mortgaged their homes and gave personal guarantees to investors and bankers. Today, there are 20 stores throughout the Island and Tsawwassen and has roughly 50 percent of the grocery business in those locations.

Is it a coincidence that the general perception of the store is the same as their initial goal? I don't think so. These two guys put their whole lives on the line for it and insisted that it would be a focus for everyone involved in the company - from tellers to management. Even their balloons remind the people what the store is all about - a "smile in the aisle for you".

As a church, shouldn't we be better at this than they are? They love the community at least partially because it betters their bottom line. We love the community because God does and told us to. They are friendly and hospitable because they get paid to do it. We are because this is our church and we are God's ambassadors.

Two questions come to my mind. Do we know what we are all about? From top to bottom, are we clear what our purpose is? If so, are we committed to it enough to give our homes, our lives for it?