In 2001 my wife (then girlfriend) convinced me to switch to Apple Macintosh computers. I had been working (and still am) as a technology expert using Windows based personal computers and had never personally used a Macintosh. Being so in love that I could barely spell my own name, I agreed and it (along with marrying that girl) was one of the best decisions I ever made. They say that once you go Mac you never go back... its true. We’ve been a Mac house ever since.

Last week I plunked down a wad of cash for a brand new 27” iMac. Despite all of the quality control issues they’ve had since December, Apple still got my money. Even though I could have saved $50 from a 3rd party vendor I bought directly from them. Even though I could have built a screaming fast Windows PC at similar cost I still chose an iMac. Why? And what did that teach me about being a missionary?

They make it their goal to offer the absolute best

From shopping, to components, design, and attention to detail, the experience of buying an Apple computer is saturated with the goal of selling the very best technology experience. Don’t believe me? Visit one of their temples stores. As missionaries, we must be utterly convinced that what we’re offering is hands-down the absolute best “product” in the marketplace of ideas. Nothing else out there comes close to a relationship with God through Jesus. Go ahead and sample any other philosophy you want, you will leave disappointed. I am convinced of this because of what I’ve witnessed in my own life; when missionaries believe that Jesus is the only way, people, families, communities, and cultures are transformed. If you need some fire-power, this book will help.

They use what they’re selling

If you’ve ever talked to an Apple employee you will know one thing; they actually use their own products. Back in November, Apple swapped out their old in-store payment system for one designed for the iPod Touch. It was important for customers to see that Apple used their own products. Talking with the Apple rep about my iMac concerns last week he described his experience with his own iMac so I could better understand the quality issues. Because of this, I listened to what he had to say. If you want to be eternally successful in ministry you’d better be using what you’re selling.

"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today are Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." - Brennan Manning

They serve people well

Having been an Apple customer for nearly 9 years let me assure you, they are not perfect. Their products break, sometimes they’re dead on arrival, and I never buy first releases. However, the one thing that has retained my loyalty more than any other thing is that they have served me well as a customer. The saying is true, “Business is like tennis, those who serve well win.” As missionaries, this same sentiment should define our ministries also. We serve people well because we’re modeling our Lord Jesus who came to serve not to be served. This means that I work to make acquaintances into friends. I remember names. I make sure to contact people and be on time when we meet. I remember important events (even if I have to put the info into my calendar). Serving well means that my ultimate goal is giving people every opportunity to come to know Jesus, never hindering their journey, but allowing them to see him through me.

One lesson Apple will never teach

There is a lot about service we can learn from companies like Apple. The reason they are so successful is that whether they acknowledge it or not, embrace it or deny it, they are (in principle) practicing Jesus’ model of service. Yet while we can learn a lot from them, there is one lesson they can never teach. In sacrificial love, Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross. At the end of the day, this alone is the distinctive principle from which the rest must flow and one only the King of kings is qualified to teach.

Tags: Missions, Missionary Life