We have all been there we move to a new town; get disgruntled with the church we attend and start looking elsewhere or on vacation and find a place to worship.
The first thing we do is, if we have time is to look it up on the internet. Get a feel for the church and it’s ministries and people that attend.
Then we get there early and scope the place out. We do the multiple drives past the church. We see how people are dressed that are going in. We see how friendly they are as they are walking in. Then we make our mind up say “were going in”.
Most churches you can tell from the outside where the sanctuary is. We can rest in that. Yet how we get there in the vast hallways will take a person well trained with Spatial abilities. That is if things are labeled with signs and arrows.
We finally get to the sanctuary, and we look around for a place to sit. Now comes the most difficult task of a visitor… where to sit? Let’s be honest it never says on the website or on the pews where to sit. We do not need to sit in Grandma Mary’s seat because… she has sat there for over 30 years.
What happened to the old ways of doing things. Yes, the ways it has always been done, you know that ever popular saying in many churches! Why can’t the pews not be labeled with the family name and have gates on them. Yes, it actually was that way.
We sit down and pray “Lord let us go un-noticed we just want to come and worship”. The pastor stands up and says “Good morning church and welcome to the visitors out there. Will the visitors please stand to be recognized.” Ugh!! This is followed by the time of greeting one another. You now have a target on your back. You exchange pleasantries then take your seat again and the worship starts.
Is there anything wrong with this scenario? On the surface no. For the visitor yes. Acknowledge those you do not know. This is great. Putting a spotlight on them is an easy way to make sure they will probably not come back. Instead greet them before the service. Invite them to sit with you. Answer their questions. Hand them a bulletin. Make them feel comfortable.
Then go the extra step share contact information. Invite them to lunch to answer any other questions they may have about the church.
The pastor cannot greet everyone at times so keep in mind that you are the connection that they will need while at the church.
What I love about Jesus is he gave us a great example on how to love on people. Also, a great example on how to minister. He knew he could not do it all (in human form he was also limited to what he chose to do) he relied on those that chose to follow him. After his death he gave the disciple the gift of the Holy Spirit to not only comfort them in their loss but to guide them to continue on in the ministry.
Remember your first time in the church. Did you not look for a smiling face to make eye contact with you? Let us love one another, even the stranger.
-Pastor Brian
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