A Word of Encouragement

Each morning I begin the day by reading scripture and then looking over the news feed. That way I have an idea of what each side is up to.  My scripture reading of late has been Isaiah and Ezekiel for the Old Testament and Romans from the New Testament.  On more than a few mornings it seems that the scripture readings and the news feed are describing the same reality from different perspectives.   As I look at what is happening in our world today, especially in the western church, it seems eerily similar to what was happening in Israel and Judah before, at the time of, and during the Babylonian captivity. 

It is a time in which it is easy to become discouraged.  It is a time in which we can see parallels between the ancient people of Israel and our churches.  We may want to look at the world through rose-colored stain glass windows, but those windows will not change the reality.  The Pollyannaism of a ‘don’t worry, be happy’ mind set will do little to solve our world’s problems.  The denial of fallen human nature that often permeates left-leaning thinking, as well as, the ‘can-do entrepreneurial’ spirituality which drives more than a few contemporary churches, cannot deal with the greatest challenges we face.   It is easy to be discouraged.

But I came across a quote from the great British journalist Malcolm Muggeridge that I found especially encouraging.  Muggeridge witnessed more than a little of the evil in this world.  He summed up his perspective in this quote for the latter part of the 20^th century.  Some of the references may seem dated to us, but for the person who lived though these moments they represented true disillusionment and despair.  This is a quote worth reading, indeed memorizing, for anyone who lives in discouraging moments.   It is a quote I use as often as I can. 

Malcolm Muggeridge said:

We look back upon history and what do we see?  Empires rising and falling; revolutions and counter-revolutions. Wealth accumulated and wealth dispersed.  Shakespeare has spoken of the rise and fall of great ones that ebb and flow with the moon. 

I look back upon my own fellow countrymen, once upon a time dominating a quarter of the world.  Most of them convinced in the words of what is still a popular song that ‘the God who made them mighty shall make them mightier yet’.  I heard a crazed cracked Austrian announce to the world the establishment of a Reich that would last a thousand years.  I have seen an Italian clown saying that he was going to stop and restart the calendar with his own ascension to power.  I met a murderous Georgian brigand in the Kremlin, acclaimed by the intellectual elite of the world as wiser than Solomon, more humane that Marcus Aurelius, more enlightened than a Shoka.  I have seen America wealthier and in terms of military weaponry more powerful than the rest of the world put together.  So, that had the American people so desired, they could have out done a Caesar or an Alexander in the range and scale of their conquest.

All in one lifetime, all gone, gone with the wind.

England, part of a tiny island off the coast of Europe, threatened with dismemberment and even bankruptcy.  Hitler and Mussolini dead, remembered only in infamy.  Stalin a forbidden name in the regime he helped found and dominate for some three decades.  America haunted by fears of running out of those precious fluids that keeps her motorways roaring, the smog settling.  With troubled memories of a disastrous campaign in Vietnam, and the victories of the Don Quixote of the media as they charged the windmills of Watergate. 

All in one lifetime!  All in one lifetime, gone.

Behind the debris of these self-styled solemn super men and imperial diplomatists stands the gigantic figure of one person because of whom, by whom, in whom, and through whom, mankind might still have hope.  The person of Jesus Christ.

In the midst of all the bad news, we have hope; we have Jesus Christ.

The Characteristics of an Excellent Greeter.

Last week we talked about the “Ten Marks of a Friendly Church”.  A copy of that article can be found in this blog.  I wanted to follow up this week with the “Eight Marks of an Excellent Greeter or Guest Servant”.  The term greeter is one we are all familiar with, but the term Guest Servant is one we hear less often.  It is, however, a term I believe we need to adopt.  The objective of the person who greets in our church on Sundays needs to be to serve those they meet. 

Many churches are satisfied if they can get a warm body to stand at the door and hand out bulletins.  I believe we can and ought to do better.  It is reported that a Disney World employee/cast member will be required to receive 32 hours of training to be qualified to take tickets.  What we do is infinitely more important than getting people to go along with “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride”.

While there is no one personality-type that will make a great guest servant, here are eight things that a guest servant can do to serve the Lord more effectively.

Smile. 

In certain cultures a smile is indicative of a sense of shame, but in our culture a smile has the potential to change the atmosphere.  Guest servants need to be conscientious to smile.  I heard a great story about Truit Cathy of “Chick-Fil-A”.  At a grand opening, one of the employees was struggling with the rush.  She was not smiling as she had been coached.   Rather than tell her to smile for the customers, Mr. Cathy would come by from moment to moment and say things like:  “You have a beautiful smile”, “You look so nice when you smile”.  “Your smile brightens your beautiful face.”  Before long she was smiling all the time.  Encouraged smiles are more real than those we plaster on. 

Speak first. 

Guest servants need to take the initiative while greeting.  More than simply being at their post, they need to look for opportunities to serve.  Rather than reply, be the first to speak. Rather than wait inside, open the door for guests.  Rather than hand out bulletins, engage the guest in conversation.  Never wait for a guest to instigate the friendship, always be the first to reach out. 

Open personality. 

Get the right people in the right place.  Some folks should not be greeters. Often we will settle for anyone who is willing.  Ralph (not his real name) was a member of a church I served.  He wanted to be a greeter because he wanted to meet pretty girls.  Yes, he was that creepy.  Even if a person is not a creeper, he may not be a great guest servant.  This is not too difficult to figure out.  Look for people who are friendly and warm, people who set others at ease and someone you look forward to speaking to. 

Focus on the guest

I have said before and will repeat that Sunday morning is the best time to ignore our dearest friends.  We have a tendency to want to use Sunday morning as a time to reconnect with our church friends, often to the exclusion of our guests. 

One Sunday our church had a number of guests visit-three couples that knew each other and were looking for a church.  I was a friend of a couple of the men.  After the service, several couples from the church offered to take my family and me to lunch.  I suggested that they invite these new couples and I would join them on my own dime.  Being the preacher, I got away late and arrived at the restaurant to find the five church couples seated together with space saved for my family.  I asked, “Where are the visitors?”  The reply hit me like a rock.  “We didn’t have space for everyone; they’re in the back room.”  Yes, the church club sat together while guests were told in not very subtle ways, “We don’t care about you.”

This is an extreme example, but serves to teach the lesson; Focus on the guest.

Be prepared

Guest servants need to be prepared; here are a few steps that can help: 

·      Be at your post early.  This helps you be at ease in your responsibilities.

·      Know the information about the church.  For instance, where things are and how to access these services.  You may want to have helpers who can escort guests to where they need to go.

·      Good grooming helps you with your confidence, which will help you RELAX.  Back off the coffee; you can drink later.  Please have breath mints.  I was once greeted by a man that must have eaten collard greens, sardines, and contents of the litter box for breakfast. 

·      Look like you are anticipating a great day, don’t look bored, rather give your guest your undivided attention.  A great way to do that is to maintain good eye contact.

Go the Extra mile

Guest servants must take seriously the command of our Lord to go the extra mile.  Guests are going to be inconvenient; they know nothing about our church buildings and they may have no connection to anyone in the church.  Some may need extra help.  Guest servants need to be the kind of folks who like to give that help. 

A single mom approached the church building.  Services had already started and the greeting couple wanted to go find their place in the service, but instead waited for the late arriver.   Once in the door they realized the baby had a dirty diaper that was leaking out.  The five-year-old boy must have had rocket fuel for breakfast and the three year old was insecure, cross, and had become a Klingon, refusing to let go of mom. 

The greeting couple did more than give her a bulletin and point her in the right direction.   First, the husband of the team, engaged the little boy in some playful fun, a simple magic trick in your pocket can work wonders.  With the little guy intrigued they were off.  The wife of the greeting team carried the messy baby so mom could comfort the three year old.  While mom checked the two older kids into children’s church, the baby’s diaper and outfit was changed.  The couple invited the young mom to sit with them in worship and join them for lunch.

They missed sitting with their usual friends.  But what is the likelihood that mom will return to visit that church again?

Discerning. 

People don’t just visit a church.   If an unchurched person comes to church for a visit “out of the blue” you can bet there is a pretty good reason for it.  When people are hurting, guest servants need to have the discernment and the sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit to be prepared and able to minister.  Guest servants need to be in the habit of praying for insight so that when hurting people arrive, they will be ready to serve them more than a bulletin.

Has a spiritual appointment book

Related to the previous, if I were looking for guest servants I would look for people who are constantly having “Divine Appointments”.  I would look for the people who seem to be meeting folks who have spiritual needs and then ministering to them.

If a person is beginning to seek the Lord, if the Holy Spirit is prompting them and convicting them to find a place where they can hear the good news, which do you, think is more likely.  That the Holy Spirit will lead them to a church where they will be greeted by an indifferent greeter or one that will be willing to love and serve them into the family of God?   

That Awkward Moment

Have you ever been at a park looking for a place to have a picnic?  You approach a pavilion and find that it has a party already in progress.  On the one hand you would love to be a part, to join in, but at the same time you get the feeling that this is a private party.  There is no indication that you are welcomed, no sign that says, “You are wanted here.”  You could impose yourself; ask to join in if you are of the imposing personality.  But most of the time we simply go away and look for another place.

That happened to me this weekend, well sort of.  This past Sunday morning my wife and I were unexpectedly traveling.  We were not going to be able to attend our regular worship service.   In order to be in a worship, I got online and looked up churches that were near our travel route.  Having located a church that was only a little off our path and had services about the time we would be passing, we decided to stop by and visit.

We arrived 7 minutes early and noticed that a bunch of people were unloading lawn chairs and setting up for what appeared to be a picnic.  There was nothing about a church picnic on their website. 

We got out of the car and walked toward what appeared to be the front/main door for the church building.  We could not be sure because there was no signage at all except for several signs that forbid smoking on campus.  Jesus loves you as long as you don’t smoke here.

Oddly, there was no one near the front door.  I had noticed that there was quite a bit of activity near a rear/side door.  Maybe they had a secret entrance that was supposed to be used.

When we got to the front door there was no greeter, nothing that indicated welcome, in fact, the doors were locked.  There was not even a sign to indicate how to get in or where to go.  An appropriate sign might read, “If you are not one of us, you are not welcomed here!”

We returned to our car, got in, and went somewhere else.  As we left I did honk the horn just to say, “We got your message that we are not wanted.”  Ironically, their church motto is, “Church name, Where everybody is somebody and Jesus is Lord.” 

Perhaps this church has grown so rapidly that they cannot meet inside any more.  Perhaps they have so many folks in attendance that they meet outside in a picnic like pavilion because only God can provide space large enough for all the people who are part of this church.  But my guess is they are stagnant, dying, and wondering why they can’t grow.   Every church says it is a “friendly” church.  I have never heard any church describe itself as unfriendly or exclusive.  But what many churches, and almost all stagnant churches, mean by that statement is, “We are friendly to the people with whom we are attending church; we are friendly to the people we already like.”

In a world of people who are lonely, hurting, and needing relational connections perhaps the most oxymoronic phrase is, “We are a small, friendly church.”  If a church cares about people it cannot stay small.  If a church is small there is a strong possibility that it is either so new that people have not yet discovered it, or it is only friendly to the people they already have and like. 

Here is the good news: I am a committed follower of Jesus.  My faith in Him is not adversely influenced by this failure.  But if I were a person seeking help with the struggles of life, I would never give that church a second chance.  Maybe this church has a powerful and dynamic ministry in the community, but it sure doesn’t seem so.

Several years ago I coached churches on how to have a positive impression on first time guests.  After doing this for several years I discovered that churches fall into one of two categories.  First, are the churches that gut out how to treat guests by trial and error; they may have needed some improvement but, by and large, guests knew they were welcomed.  In the second category were churches that just didn’t care about guests.  For these churches guests were just something you put up with till they went a way.

If you would like a free copy of an outline I used in guest services evaluation, simply send me an email asking for 10 marks of a friendly church.  There is no cost and no obligation.  I simply ask that you treat guests so well that they will want to be part of your church.

My Error

In addition to posting to this blog I also send these post in an email newsletter.  In my last email newsletter I had a typo in the header.  It read, "I don't believe that Jesus’ last miracle was healing someone who planned to be His enemy."  It should have read, "I don't believe it was an accident that Jesus' last miracle was healing someone who planned to be His enemy."

The header line is something I don’t plan well; duh.  This one I typed in with my mind running a lot faster than my fingers and I made a mistake.  What I found interesting was my own reaction.  I have perfectionist tendencies, something that is very bad for a person like me who makes a lot of mistakes.  I reacted to finding this typo by ripping myself up one side and down the other.  I was furious with myself. Not only had I made a mistake, but I had denied one of the miracles.  I tried to send a follow up email or retraction and apology, but the email server limits me to only one a day.

After I calmed down a bit, I realized that I was living outside of grace.  I was acting as if my typo was something that would some how put my soul in danger.  I was acting as if only perfect performance was sufficient and my failure would be the end of me.  I made a mistake; it was unintentional, singular, and did not reflect my convictions.  I am not sure it was even a sin, but that is a discussion for another time.  But I reacted or over reacted in how I berated myself.

I don’t meant to make light of sin, but isn’t that the point of grace?  Grace is not having to be good enough.  Grace is only grace if it comes to the rescue of those who, by intent or by accident, fail.  Grace would not be grace if it were some how optional.  If I didn’t really need it, then it would not be grace.  And here is the point: I don’t need to excoriate myself for failures.  The gospel of the Old Testament says,

            But He was pierced for our transgressions,

                        He was crushed for our iniquities;

            The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him.

                        And by His wounds we are healed.  Is. 53.5 NIV

In other words, I don’t need to be beaten up for my failures, either by myself or by someone else.  Someone has already taken the beating and punishment that all my failures, from typo to acts of open rebellion, truly deserve.  I will continue to dislike it when I make a mistake; I really don’t ever want to get too comfortable with failure.  But what I do with those failures needs to be shaped by a personal understanding and application of grace.

One of my professors was reported to have a sermon that he would preach from time to time called, “The Campaign Platform of the Gospel: Welfare, Rest and Free Love” taken from Romans 6.  The main points being: 

1.  Welfare, it is undeserved: Know what Christ has done for you on the Cross, v3

2.  Rest, in the finished work of Christ: You are dead to sin, but alive in Christ, v11

3.  Free love, our response to God: give yourself over to God, v13

Good theology always preaches and always has practical applications to life.  So, if you find errors in this treatise, know for certain that they aren’t there on purpose.  And while I will gladly make corrections, I know God loves me anyway.  That makes my failures, both the little typos and the acts of rebellion, easier to deal with.

On an unrelated subject, if you are going to the Catalyst Atlanta please let me know.  I would like to make an introduction for you at this year’s gathering.