"Visitor Friendly”

...I am a newcomer to your church.  You cannot know the reason why I am here this morning.  It may be as

   simple as a move to your community or as complicated as a personal crisis that leads me to seek strength from God.  In either case, I am here and will probably remain here and come back to worship with you next Sunday and the Sunday after and Sunday after that, if you will do some things for me.  

...Smile at me as I walk in the door.  You are my impression of the church during the first few moments

   and the first impression will probably stay with me a long time.

...Help me to find my place in the service.  I will not find your help as an intrusion.  In fact, I will

   remember your kindness.

...Speak to me.  I know you want to see your friends and settle that piece of committee business, but I find

   it hard to believe that you truly care for the stranger in your midst if you don’t speak to me.  

...Tell me good things about your church and your ministry.  I want to believe that I have come to a place

   where people love one another and where they believe that they are doing something exciting and

    important for  the Lord.

...Notice me, even if I am not family.  I don’t want to feel invisible just because I am unmarried, a single partner, a teenager, or an older person.

...Talk to me again the second week when I come back and the third and the fourth. I am still not a part of

    your church family.  Please don’t feel you have done your duty just because you made a point of

    greeting me the first week I was here.

...Invite me to become a part of some church group or organization.  I need more than worship every

   Sunday. I need to know that I am accepted and affirmed by a group of people within the church who

   know about me as an individual. 

       Thanks for all you do to make our visitors feel welcome here at St. Andrew.  The article I

   have shared with you comes from The Village Methodist and its written from the perspective of a visitor and newcomer to church.  It spoke to me and I pray it speaks to you!

In Christ,

   Mack