I am a hamburger aficionado. Whenever I am privileged to be in Utah, Arizona or California, I must stop by the greatest burger place I the world. It may start an argument among devotees to their favorite hamburger joint, but there simply is not another place on the planet that compares to In-N-Out Burger©. No offense to What-A-Burger© in Texas, C.J.’s in Russellville, Arkansas, Tommy’s or Red Robin©, but In-N-Out reigns supreme when it comes to burgers and fries. (Please forgive me but I am writing this during lunch and have to write on an empty stomach.) I will always be indebted to Brian Ramos for telling me about In-N-Out; Brian knows food.
What makes In-N-Out the best? In one word – simplicity. All In-N-Out does is burgers – no chicken, no phony fish (What is that thing on a fish sandwich anyway?), no angus beef or other fancy diversions – just burgers and fries. In-N-Out keeps it simple and does what they do best – great burgers and fries. The company states that the menu has not changed since 19948. French fries are made from fresh potatoes and no microwaves or freezers are utilized. The shakes are made from real ice cream. In-N-Out has maintained their traditional service for over 60 years and remains a favorite even among the Hollywood celebrity culture.
Some fascinating facts about In-N-Out: everything is made fresh to order. The company is privately owned and all associates are treated like family. Most associates have been with the company for over 20 years. The company places a high value on relationships. The company was started by Harry and Esther Snyder and passed down to their sons, Guy and Rich, who learned the business from the ground floor and then passed the business to their sons. Rich took over the business as president at age 24 and with Guy’s help instituted In-N-Out University, where the formula is still passed on and new managers are consistently trained. Rich was known for his faith in Jesus Christ, and he began printing Bible references on cups and wrappers.
It may not sound very spiritual, but we can learn some lessons from In-N-Out. Three significant messages stand out:
A Simple Conjecture – It is amazing how complicated religion can make the gospel. Just like In-N-Out makes a great burger by using the best ingredients without complicating the process, Church should be a simple concept without the complications of humanism. Jesus chided the religious system of His day with strong words of condemnation for making it difficult for people to come to the truth. In Matthew 23:13-15 Jesus said, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of Hell than yourselves.” We should be asking in each of our congregations, “Can people understand the message we are sending?” Is the gospel hidden within religious hyperbole that only insiders can understand? Jesus made it so easy to have a relationship with the Father that a child can receive it. Church-speak often makes the gospel confusing. If the gospel is hidden it is hidden to the lost, and the easiest way to hid the gospel is within religious jargon.
A Self-propagating Culture – For over 60 years In-N-Out has done it the same way without trying to copy others in their sector. Anyone who knows me knows I believe in learning from others and studying the best practices in the Kingdom; however, we should be expressing a unique message that is true to our Pentecostal DNA. In-N-Out propagates their culture by attracting and training young associates to carry the mantle of the company’s culture. Is this not the commission of the Church? Instead of lamenting the gray hair in our ranks, let us be proactive by locating the Elishas, casting the mantle on them, and training them to carry on the Great Commission! A review of the history of the PCG reveals an organization that is successful in ministering to the next generation. The culture of the PCG has been committed to producing a Pentecostal legacy. In 1928 the General Convention held in Ottumwa, Iowa birthed what became the Pentecostal Young People’s Association. This same convention announced the beginning of a Bible college outlined by G. F. C. Fons. Even though this effort did not materialize, it displayed the passion to train next generation leaders. The promise of Pentecost is to our children and our children’s children. It is vital that we continue the legacy of Pentecostal blessing to the next generation.
A Successful Concept – In-N-Out’s concept works. You can get a flame broiled burger done your way. You can get a square burger from a value menu. You can get a burger that declares you will love it. But there is only one In-N-Out, and the franchise has stayed true to their original concept. We are not called to copy or mimic others; we are called to be the Pentecostal Church of God.
There is unique God-ordained calling for each local church and for the PCG organization. We must be willing to find that unique distinction, but above all else, we must make sure the legacy of that distinction is given to the next generation. You may disagree with me over hamburgers, but surely on this we see eye to eye.
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