Maybe, like Chick-fil-A, we should close our church doors on Sundays so our "owners" are free to worship with their families if they choose.

Wait. No. Let me rethink that...

I think much of Chick-Fil-A's success comes from a simple strategy. Our church has taken these lessons to heart by implementing the strategy laid out in "Simple Church: Returning to God's Process for Making Disciples" by Thom S. Rainer & Eric Geiger.

Mr. Pilato is on the right track. In this day of ball practice, dance class, homework, ball games, working late, mow the lawn, etc., etc., etc. families don't have time to rest. And if you are involved in church leadership, there's another wasted day.

Our church has decided to focus on what can make a difference. We are stressing worship and children on Sunday morning and our Community Groups meet throughout the week at a time convenient for the group members.

So, like Chick-fil-A, we actually close our church doors on Sunday nights so our "owners" are free to worship with their families.

Many people might say that sounds liberal, but what's liberal about strong biblical teaching (Sunday Worship), building strong Christian friendships (Community Groups), and building strong families (Simple Church).

Down her ein Cary, NC, there are 5 or 6 Chick-fil-A's nearby, packed to the gills with customers on Friday's and Saturdays.

I have to commend them for not giving in to wanting that business on Sundays. I think it is that public stance and committment to family that is one of the reasons so many in there are parents with children.

Maybe if some Churches were less temped to take advantage of all the potential 'worker bees' at worship on Sunday morning by having them stay through the rest of Sunday in committee and business meetings, there may be more of a family aspect as well?

Again I think we're seeing here the ellison between church polity and church marketing.

That is, where practice impacts perception of participants.

My feeling is that this entire subject could be made moot if churches would leverage telecommuting technologies better.

Meaning, no need to have a long-winded committee meeting after worship on a beautiful sunny Sunday - when Skype, ReadyTalk or some other conferencing service could be leveraged at a time convenient to all that doesn't eat into family time.

I love Chik-Fil-A and frequent the establishment. There are three here in Columbus Ohio and they do have the best sweet tea around. I'm a sweet tea-aholic. At the annual Catalyst Conference about 4 years ago I had the pleasure of hearing Truett Cathy speak about his company. He received an award and there was even a live cow brought on stage for buzz. This company is a perfect example of how God wants us to be. So many people think that to do well in the business world you have to be cut throat and negative, but I'm glad to see that there is a business out there that has it right.

I love Chick-fil-A! I agree that the Church can learn from the example of Truett Cathy. He has made business decisions that were based on his faith and principles that the world does not understand. In business school I heard it discussed that it was a marketing decision to be closed on Sundays - some business people think all decisions are made based on the bottom line. I do believe that Chick-fil-A has prospered because of this decision. But I also believe they have one heck of a good chicken sandwich.

As a Christian, I think it is wonderful what the company does, by closing on Sunday's to allow their employees to attend church. IF you should go to their website, you'll see that their Mission Statement is: "Be America's Best Quick-Service Restaurant". In my opinion, they are the best quick service restaurant & most polite. Don't be so quick to judge!

With Chick fil A closing on Sunday does not make them Christian nor an example. If all restaurnants, gas stations, police stations, grocery stores, refineries, hospitals,...you get my drift, would close on Sunday, what do you think would happen! Don't you eat out somewhere every Sunday, or go get groceries, or drive out to see mom and dad,....
You would have to cook and clean yourself (no day of rest for you). If Chick fil A is an example, don't do anything on Sunday that requires others to work. Stay home after going to church...(if you got your gas the night before), and I hope you don't get in a wreck on the way there or back because no one will answer the phone to come help. And the lights go out on Sunday because all the power station people went home until Monday. And by the way, Chick fil A has the third highest transfat content among its peers. For every 1% increase in transfat consumption, you will gain 2.3 pounds. Sweet tea...!, try good tea without sugar. You will be healthier.
Chick fil A is a business. They will operate it successfully. They are not a the best example due to their caloric and simple carb offerings. They do a good job of marketing...to kids. Moms do follow. I think Mikey D's started this.

first off--the sabbath is from friday sundown to saturday sundown-also-jesus was a jew..so if you believe in jesus then you should probably worship on jewish holidays.