Before Church
Sunday, June 30,
2019
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:7
New homeowners like
us spend lots of time at home improvement stores, making a house functional and
uniquely our own. Always lots of projects
on the front end, and that’s how I met: Melvin.
Retired from a career, he found new fulfillment at a huge home
improvement retailer. I needed bolts and
washers; Greg had sent me with samples so I couldn’t go astray (at least that
was the theory), and I walked into Melvin’s aisle.
It was crowded. Lots of people wanted help finding, among the
hundreds of little drawers of hardware, their particular needed bolt, screw, or
nails. As each person came into his
aisle, Melvin greeted them. He
introduced himself. And although he had
several customers, he kept us in mind and helped in order. He talked to us about our particular
projects, while adding small talk that showed he was not just interested in
making money. He found what I needed,
then took time to show me how to measure and locate what I needed for future
reference. He found my bolts, and when
he saw the last package was already opened, he authorized a discount for me. As I left he said, “Be sure you come back and
see me!” His smile, his warm welcome,
his helpfulness, his showing me the ropes so I was at home in his world, all
impressed me so much. And I thought, if
churchy people behaved like this, more visitors would come back for
seconds.
My recent forays
into new churches have been illuminating.
Some were friendly, some helpful, some welcoming, but in others no-one
spoke to me except the pastor, and in one church I was actually invited to go
elsewhere. Many asked for contact
information, but few followed up. Where in
the church are the Melvins?
What if when people walked into a new church, our church, they met a Melvin?
Someone who noticed them and greeted them immediately, someone who spoke to them before they spoke to us, introducing ourselves and showing them the
ropes, giving them a little information about how things work at our worship
service? What if we asked what brought them to our church family? What if they met someone who
showed an interest in their life, and we shared a bit of ours? A Melvin at the door
would go a long way to convince newcomers that a church does what Paul commands here: welcome for others as Christ welcomes every believer. And what if, before they left,
a Melvin made a point of saying, “Be sure you come back and see me.”
Most visitors see
pastors as professionals; paid to follow up.
But if a regular member shows genuine interest, making a newcomer
welcome in grand Melvin-style, then the likelihood of them returning soars
astronomically. Even higher if Melvin follows
up outside the church service and calls or visits. If visitors trust you with their number,
address, email, they should hear from the church that week. Then people will come back for seconds.
Most visitors are
looking to belong; they are trying to find out if this is their church home, or
if church has any value at all. Every
church should have the aroma of home, a place where, even if we have never been
there before, we feel wanted and welcomed.
It’s not the worship style, it is the fellowship, the hallmarks of
grace, of comfort and restoration, of love, peace, and joy lived out in
community, a community that wants to expand to include anyone who walks in the
door.
Are you called to be
a Melvin in your church? Every church
needs them, lots of them. Melvins at the
door when people arrive, Melvins inside to explain how
things work, Melvins who will stop what they are doing to invest a few minutes
with a stranger, Melvins who will share a bit of their lives, Melvins on the way out to say, “Be sure you come back and see
me!” And Melvins who will phone, visit, or email. (Don’t ask for contact information unless you
plan to follow up). Melvins who invite
people to church activities, include them, save them a seat, accompany them. That’s why people come back for seconds.
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