The Small Things: Snacks on the Plane
On our way home from our trip to Florida, we flew Continental Express. With a fast turnaround to connect in Houston to Oklahoma, I knew our family wouldn’t have time to eat.
I was pleasantly surprised when they offered us snack baskets containing trail mix, crackers, cheese spread, M&Ms, and meat.
At possibly $2 to $3 per box lunch, that gesture likely set Continental back $16 to $20 for my family; but that small bonus set them apart from the other airline we flew on earlier. I know times are tight for airlines, but if I’m traveling with my family to Florida again, Continental may earn my business over a small snack pack.
Some of our campuses offer food and drinks to people who worship with us on the weekend. I’ve occasionally wondered about the cost verses the benefit.
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Visit 
I have had the priviledge of visiting a few LC campuses. One in particular stood out (fistbump to NWOKC). On top of the beverages that were offered, they also had doughnuts which were quite good. As much as I enjoyed them (I’ll be honest - I did have more than one!) I’m not sure that I could attend there every week if I would have to fight this temptation!
On a serious note though, I was impressed with how the different campuses catered to the needs of the people attending. If I was a first time guest to any of the campuses I visisted (which I was I guess) I would be (and was) impressed and would definatley look to go back.
Keep up the great work!
I am not sure if it would make a difference to me if someplace offered food and drink. I have been to church that do but not too sure it is a consideration in going back.
We do not offering anything during the services here.
This is why I don’t understand why companies take away services like this in a time of economic difficulty. They should INCREASE services like this, not cut them. I’m much more likely to fly on an airline that gives me lots of extra services than one that takes away all of its good services and adds extra charges.
Unfortunately, I think it’s a quick reaction that occurs that ends up putting the company in a worse place than it was. Who wants to fly on an airline that took away all of the good reasons to choose them, despite the reason behind it?
Sometimes just the act of offering food implies friendliness–whether it is needed or not. It is almost a prompt to remember neighbors bringing over cookies at the holidays or a friend asking if you want a cup of tea. Hotels have picked up on this. You may never touch the basket of apples on the check-in counter, but it is welcoming to see them there.
Butterfly effect.
Small amounts make for big change.
What people say they want and what they’re willing to pay for are sometimes different. Everybody complains about the bad food and crowded seats when they fly. But when they book a flight they always choose based on price and departure times. A few years ago American Airlines removed seats from some flights to make more legroom. Ticket prices were nominally higer (to cover cost). They promoted it heavily–and it was a complete failure. Spending in the right places in the right amounts (the food for Craig’s family) is a challenge.
I enjoy the coffee at Lifechurch–feels welcoming. Makes me relaxed and ready for Craig to nail me with The Truth! Nort sure we need to provide breakfast too. A cost / benefit decision, probably different for each church.
As a LC hospitality volunteer I’ll be the first to argue over the merits of how great it is that we offer food and drinks. I’ll also be the first to argue over what should/should not be offered. It’s very easy to offer this type of hospitality without breaking the bank, if done correctly.
My sister in Colorado said that they were thinking of offering a Saturday evening service via tape and the first thing I said was ‘don’t forget the snacks’.
I fly Continental about 50k miles a year and recently had to fly several competitors due to price. I experienced no snacks, planes old enough to still have ashtrays in the armrests and poor service.
In the same way, our visitors are not just comparing our churches to their expectations, but also on others that they have visited (or have fond memories of). I agree with Steven..this down period is the best time to redouble our efforts to make sure we demonstrate hospitality (without being fake) and the warmth that we know our congregations can be. We also try to train our “hosts” to be more like concierges so that they can show person attention, rather than just providing information.
Did the package just say “meat” on it?! Hopefully it wasn’t imitation crab… :)
I think this whole series is about hospitality…which we see so much about the believers having with each other in the New Testament church. I know some people would/will scoff at this series…but I think it’s legit and awesome!
Turning this series into a parable, I believe that it’s the small things we do for God that mean the most to Him. Because everyone will do big things and will get noticed for them. But it’s the small things we do in secret, with just us and God, that I believe mean the most to Him.
I doubt Continental advertises the trail mix and meat…but it means a lot to you.
It’s the small (secret) things between us and God that mean the most! (in my opinion)
One of the first things that impressed me at the Tulsa Campus was not only the hospitality of food and drink, but the type of snacks offered. They have baskets of bananas, granola type breakfast bars, and occasionally pretzels or other salty snacks. As an older person it delights me to see small children munching on a banana and sipping water or hot chocolate instead of something far less healthy. Seems like a small thing but it demonstrates the attention to detail and the excellence with which we are called to serve Him.
When you think of the ,”traditional church,” you don’t think of coffee and a roll on the pew. The food service part of our experience on Sunday morning is more about setting an atmosphere than about ,”food.” It is our desire to make a climate that promotes the idea that we are different, that our church is different, and that our lives as fully devoted followers are different. Yes, we are marketing, but what the client is getting is the ultimate gift!
Pastor Craig - Jesus was so very concerned with the physical needs of His people. He always took care of them before He delivered His message. I am very glad to be following in His footsteps at Lifechurch.tv
“Snacks on the plane” sure beats “Snakes on a Plane”! Oh, forget it. I believe that serving snacks on a Sunday morning is very missional minded and is worth the return on investment (in Kingdom currency).
Dave Anderson
Zion Covenant Church, Jamestown, NY
It’s funny…I thought about this on Sunday, I was at LC in Stillwater, OK. I was very impressed to see the Coffee Mate brand of creamer vs. a great value brand. I know it is basically the same thing, but I really felt valued in some weird way that they went the extra 30 cents to buy CM brand! I know this probably sounds sarcastic, but it isn’t…at all!!! I go to a church in Broken Arrow on Saturday nights and they charge $2/cup of coffee. They say it is at cost…but if that were true, QT would be out of business at only 1.29/medium size cup of coffee! I have to say that I don’t like going to that church, simply because I don’t want to pay for my coffee!
We currently spend less 50 cents per attendee (adult and children) each week in refreshments. Since our twa is in the 400-500 range, it is still manageable. Families tell us how thankful they are that we have donuts and other various snacks and refreshments. Folks have even commented thru communication cards that the Krispy Kremes and coffee give a great first impression. Call it shallow or worldly or whatever, it’s part of our culture and if it helps create a comfortable, hospitable, inviting atmosphere for people that will make them more open to hear and receive God’s truth during our experience, than for us, it is worth it. We know though that as we continue to grow the day may come when we need to reconsider the overall cost.
I am the Membership coordinator at my church which envelopes 1st Impressions (guest services) under it. I totally agree that it is the small things that make the biggest impression. We were fortunate enough to attend the 1st Impressions training at Granger Community Church and that has helped us create an atmosphere for our guests to receive the message before the message. We try to cultivate and cast the vision to all of our members that they are all part of the first impressions team, whether they wear a name badge or not. We ask them to park in the far ends of the parking lot leaving the front spots for our guests. We call them guests vs. visitors. Why? Because just like your home, you plan for guests…cleaning, good scents, empty trash, snacks out, beverages, etc. We truly try to “wow” them in the first ten minutes. It takes a lot to get up the nerve to come to church and if we can’t provide a distraction free zone for them, how in the world can we expect them to be open to receive the message the Lord has placed on the pastor’s heart that week? We have people greeting them at the main doors, guest service people in the lobby milling about to help get them where they need to go, we provide Bath and Body Works products in the restroom along with an array of other products (lint roller, hair spray, feminine products, sewing kit, etc.) You wouldn’t believe the comments we get on how much that impresses them! We tell our members to be looking for those people with the “doe in the headlights” look in their eyes as they are more than likely guests. We encourage them to go talk to them. We don’t say “is this your first time?” , but rather “so how long have you been coming to The Ridge?” This allows for no embarrasment if they have been coming awhile, but maybe to another service and just happen to be at that one for some reason. We also encourage people to sit with those sitting alone. You can’t imagine what an impact it makes just to have a presence beside them. It also allows for conversation before and/or after the service. I could go on and on. We have a cafe with fresh coffee/juice/donuts. I call it the “sword and the shield” where it provides something that everyone knows what to do with, provides something to have in their hands, and creates community and opportunities to talk. We also give a first time guest gift (mug/pen/gospel track) something universal that a man or woman wouldn’t hesitate to carry out the door and yet is something they can use and think of us when using it because our website and name are on it. We also mail a letter from the pastor thanking them for coming that week and then we also purchased connection power where we then do five touches and have connection partners make calls for five weeks in a row. Just like others have said, using name brand products makes a great first impression and lets them know they are planned and cared for.