…it’s EXACTLY what you say.
Words matter. Greatly.
And while they will never replace the move of the Holy Spirit in someone, they certainly can be used of the Holy Spirit to welcome, disarm, comfort and open people up. Which is why I’ll be stealing a large portion of the welcome below used by Matt Chandler of The Village Church in Texas.
“Good Morning. My name is Matt Chandler I am the Lead Pastor/Teaching Pastor here at The Village. If this is your first time visiting with us I want to welcome you. I am guessing that if this is your first time here you are in one of two lanes. The first lane is that you are a believer with a background in church and you’re new to the area or are just checking out our community. If at some point in the next hour or so your heart and mind are moved and you want to know more about us, you can fill out one of the cards in the seatback in front of you and either drop it in the joy boxes or, and this would be our preference, walk across the parking lot to the white portable buildings and there are some men and women over there that can answer any of the questions you might have about the church. The second lane is that you’re here today and you aren’t a Christian and don’t have a background in Church or not a recent one anyway. I want to welcome you. This is a safe place for you to have some doubts about what we are saying to be skeptical and curious. There are no doors that are closed for you here so explore as much as you want. Go to a home group, check out Recovery, help us mentor local students, hop on a plane to South America or Africa and help us, help others. As a former agnostic myself, I have a great deal of respect for the genuine seeker. If we can help answer any of your questions or serve you in anyway let us know.”
It’s not bowing so far to visitors that it waters anything down, but honors them and recognizes the culture shock that may be taking place when they come to church. As people who swim in this church culture I don’t think we realize how big of a shock it is for many to come to church. Read the whole post here, which includes highlights of how God’s used it to impact visitors.
