Yes…it’s true.  I’m an official Kentucky Fried Chicken taste-tester.  Once every three months I get to paid to go to the test kitchen at the headquarters and eat chicken and fill out extremely detailed surveys on what I liked and didn’t like about the chicken (or mashed potatoes, macaroni, creamy cheese and broccoli, etc.).  Today was my day…it’s was hot wings this time.  We taste the same product numerous times, but with slight variations.  Some slightly hotter, spicier, more salty, more tender, crispier breading and so on. 

I’m always amazed and the number of people they pay to do taste-tests, and the extreme care that goes into the whole process (I’m guessing millions of dollars).  It’s because they know that if they want to have a successful company it’s imperative that they offer not only food that people like, but food with exact specifications to our liking.  We children’s ministers should take note of KFC’s dedication to finding out what works. 

We have a term at church called being “store blind.”  It means that you are in and around your ministry so much that you fail to see things that might stick out like a sore thumb to others.  Quite often, the fix is simple.  Getting feedback from others is a great way to restore your sight.

The next time you have a camp or VBS…gather some people together and have a debrief.  Find out what worked and what didn’t and implement the changes next year.

Is your ministry needing some revamping?  I challenge you to get a few kids and parents together for an idea sharing lunch or dinner.  Ask them a variety of questions regarding specific areas of your ministry, brainstorm, ask them what works and what doesn’t.  I guarantee it will be the best $50 you’ll spend this year.

KFC has chicken.  We have Christ.  They collect data from thousands of taste-testers to make sure the chicken they offer is actually working (tasting good).  Shouldn’t we do the same thing to make sure that we’re presenting the Gospel in such a way that it’s actually working with the children and families we minister to?