Christianity 2.0

During the week I travel from church to church meeting all types of Christians.  The ministry I’m involved with seeks to assist churches via web services among other things..  During my visits to different churches I am greeted and treated in different ways.  I began to ponder what someone who is not a Christian that visits churches regularly thinks about the churches and the people that attend and work in them.  What does the average visitor; let’s say the UPS driver think when he visits a church during the week in his daily route?  How does the church respond and how should they respond?

As I stated earlier the ministry I’m involved with requires me to visit churches on a regular basis.  I’ve taken notice in the way they treat me.  It’s only fair to disclose why I visit churches to give a proper perspective on the nature of my visits.  The nature of my visits is to make the church I’m visiting aware of the ministries I’m involved with and seek how we can partner with them in order to help them spread the Good News of the Gospel.  One of the services we offer is free web hosting and at cost web services for churches.  This is offered by us to churches so they don’t have to spend too many resources in something that really doesn’t cost that much money.

After I make known my purposes for visiting the church I have taken notice in the reactions I have received.  In many instances the reactions are positive and the church seeks to make me feel welcomed and they even invite me to worship with them on Sunday or to lets say the church barbeque among other things.  Some take the time to ask me how I am doing and ask if they can pray with me.  I enjoy visiting churches like this even though most churches politely decline the services I offer.  As I exit the church I leave with a big smile on my face knowing that I have just met another brother or sister in Christ and that they took the time to minister to me.

On the other hand it would be iniquitous not to mention the negative experiences I have had. In my rounds from time to time and more frequently then I am willing to admit I come across churches where the people working there seem to be bothered by my interruption.  I’ve walked in to many of these churches and as soon as I give them my business card and begin to give a brief explanation of what I am doing there they suddenly cut me off.  Not only that but the body language displayed and tone is extremely non-receptive and skeptical at best toward me.  It is clear that they have a million things to do and the last thing they want to do is take a minute to hear how I can help them.  They don’t take the time to ask me how I am doing nor do they even seem to care.  The only thing that is being communicated is, “Get out of here I don’t care what you have to say “and “I’m really busy and you just aren’t worth the time.”  They don’t invite me to church, they don’t ask me where I’m going to church, they don’t make me feel welcomed, and they communicate that they don’t give two cents about me or my spiritual condition.  Needless to say when I leave those churches I feel like my brothers and sisters in Christ have rejected me.  To point out an interesting fact my business card says, “Jesus&Co” and my title is, “Ambassador for Christ.”  Don’t they see that I am quite possibly their brother in Christ?  Doesn’t that warrant some demonstration of Christian love?

Well I get over those negative experiences quite easily because I am part of a community of believers that encourage me and love me.  However, this got me to thinking about others that visit the church.  In my times of reflection I began thinking, “What about the UPS driver that has to visit this church regularly during the week?”  “How do they treat him or her?”  “If they treat me being a Christian offering free services to help expand the Kingdom of God rudely how do they treat the common salesman or UPS driver?”

If you are a Christian have you found yourself in a similar situation amongst your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ?  It can be frustrating and disheartening can’t it?  How is it that the people who are called to be the greatest servants in society be so selfish and unloving?  How can we act surprised when an unbeliever wants nothing to do with us or the message of Christ when we treat one another this way.  Jesus said, “By the way you love one another people will know you are my disciples.”  Do we love one another enough to stop and be polite and courteous to each other?  Can we set aside our duties and selfish ambitions aside for 2 minutes to make each other feel welcome? 

Those of you who work in churches have you ever stopped and pondered the spiritual conditions of those who visit your church during the week?  I know that it can be frustrating having to deal with people soliciting your business time in and time out throughout your day.  However, that’s not an excuse to be rude or send a message to them to get out because you’re not interested and too busy. 

Pastors, has it occurred to you how the people working in the church office are treating visitors?  I know your busy and have a million things to do as the shepherd of your flock.  However, this doesn’t disqualify you from this very important issue.  Well, have you considered how the office staff treats visitors no matter how annoying they may be?  How do you expect someone like the UPS driver to visit your church on a Sunday when all that is communicated to him is “thanks, now hurry up and get out we are busy.”  My brothers this should not be so.  Has the office staff been trained on how to communicate the Gospel to someone who visits your church during the week?  Do you even know if the UPS driver is a Christian?  Is he saved?  Isn’t it our responsibility as Christians to share the Gospel to every tribe, tongue, and nation?  Shouldn’t someone from off the street feel welcome visiting your church on another day besides Sunday? 

Uninvited guests as well as invited guests should feel welcome in a truly Christian community.  Train your staff that above all their Christian witness to the world and to each other is paramount.  Without that all that the church does is like resounding brass achieving no real purpose but annoying those who hear it.  Don’t let the office personnel of the church be perceived this way.  Train them how to seek and save the lost through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Explain to them that without love all that they do is worthless in the sight of God.  Show them how they can demonstrate Christ’s love to the UPS driver as well as the members of the church.  Here is a list of some simple things office personal can do to show Christ’s love to those who visit the church office during the week.

1.      A friendly demeanor.

2.      A friendly smile.

3.      Inviting them to church or to a church function.

4.      Giving them a Gospel tract.

5.      Get to know the visitor by asking questions about themselves.

6.      Ask them if they have anything you could pray for them about.

7.      Politely declining solicitations while making them feel welcome.

8.      Telling them it was a pleasure meeting them.

These are just a few suggestions.  I believe if you make a concerted effort to reach out to those who visit your church the likelihood of them returning will greatly increase. 

Living out the Gospel of Christ is as important as sharing it.  Teach the staff to let their light shine before men so that the UPS driver can give glory to God when he encounters them. Don’t forget that God loves orphans, widows, as well as annoying salesmen, and UPS drivers.  Let not your church be guilty of professing false religion.  However, let true and pure religion be demonstrated in the church office.  Next time the UPS driver shows up surprise him by showing him the glorious riches found in a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rick