Mandi Mooney
Assistant Editor/Web Administrator
The third annual Leaders in Christian Service
convocation began in an unusual way Tuesday morning when the President and Chief
Operating Officer of Chick-fil-A Dan Cathy initiated the first "cow toss" in
Seeger Memorial Chapel amid cheers from the audience.
Cathy, along with bringing enough of Chick-fil-A's beanie cows for the entire
student body, brought a different approach to the idea of a servant leader to
the Milligan community, as well as a large number of the members of the
surrounding area.
"I thought it was a good way to put it because too many times people associate
God's will with the church," said sophomore Bible ministry major Josh Kaminsky.
"They don't understand that God's mission is for you to be in the workplace and
show the love of Christ there."
In his address, Cathy stressed that the marketplace has just as much as a
calling for Christians as churches do. Many Christians feel it is necessary to
be involved with the church or missions to receive a calling, but Cathy
impressed it upon students that there is a need for Christians in the business
world as well.
"There is no such thing as a Christian business," Cathy said. "It's an issue of
personal ethics and private decisions."
Cathy also urged students to always stay in touch with the changes occurring
constantly in the marketplace and the world. On the other hand, he expressed the
importance of staying in touch with traditions and values.
"It's just as important to know that while the world is dramatically changing,
it's equally important to know that some things never change and never will
change in business," Cathy said.
The convocation was designed to celebrate and honor certain leaders in the
Tri-Cities region that exhibit the traits of a servant leader such as building
community in the workplace and accepting others. Servant leaders make the
distinction between a career and a calling for their lives. The 12 individuals
who were honored had been nominated by their peers, colleagues, and family.
Milligan's avenue of celebrating those who have worked so hard throughout their
lives to serve others had a profound impact upon the student body.
"I think it [convo] could open some people's eyes and let them realize that you
can serve to people in your workplace," Kaminsky said.
The servant leaders were each given an award in the shape of the basin and towel
that symbolize the lives of Christian service to which Milligan commits itself.
The two objects serve to as a reminder of Jesus Christ who washed the feet of
his disciples in the first example of a servant.
Cathy also added another reminder of servant leadership in the form of a shoe
shining brush. He explained that he began handing out the brushes as "leadership
development tools" to Chick-fil-A workers who exemplified the characteristics of
servants.
Chick-fil-A, which began as a family-based boardinghouse in 1946, has flourished
into one of the largest privately owned restaurant chains in the nation. Their
mission statement is to "glorify God by being a faithful steward of all this is
entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with
Chick-fil-A."
"For heaven's sake, please eat more chicken!" said Cathy to end convocation