We all want the church to grow because it means that more people have come to Christ for salvation, which certainly pleases God. We work to see this happen, and so many things can be said about how we should go about it. One factor I’d like to briefly highlight is the impression that outsiders get from church members when they visit the assembly.
Researchers have noted that starting just moments after entering a church environment for a class, worship service, small group, etc., a visitor gets a distinct feeling about the congregation based on how others are relating to them on the personal level. And for many, that feeling tends to outweigh the other aspects of the service, regardless of how good or important they may be. A visitor will feel positive if people greet them in a friendly and courteous manner, respectfully converse with them (even if briefly), and care about them.
On the other hand, they will feel negative if they are ignored, stared at, or slighted—and sometimes it takes only a little of such treatment to taint the whole experience. We can understand this, and we must not underestimate it. For many, it is the deciding factor for whether they will return or have interest in the church’s message.
Reaching out with interest, a smile, and a kind spirit of goodwill can move an individual’s heart. And of course this doesn’t apply only to visitors, but to the membership as well. A good experience with others at church is a great encouragement for faithfulness. And it’s something everyone can do. It tells us that regardless of one’s talents or role in the congregation, each church member plays a bigger part in the salvation of others than we might suspect. Your “little” part in this makes a big difference.
Stan Clanton