With the launch of the latest iPhone today, I was reminded of a thought I had after listening to a sermon several months ago where the pastor talked about how a church should function to draw more people in.
When I looked at all of the people lining up hours before the Apple Stores opened, it brought back to mind the times my wife and I visited her uncle’s church in So Cal. It was the first and (last church) I’ve been in where people would line up to be the first inside. What was the draw? Well in this denomination, the culture has a historical bent toward being conservative, while this church broke out of that pattern and was much more liberal. It became a haven for hurting people to gather where they could be comforted and not shunned.
Much like an Apple Store where you can walk in and the staff will actually talk with you at a level of your own personal expertise. If you’re new to computing, they’ll talk with you at that level; If you’re a geek, then they can communicate on that level as well. Another thing they have is the Genius Bar, where you can make an appointment ahead of time to meet with a “genius” who will help you solve your Apple problems.
How cool would it be if church were like that. Where someone walking through the door, be it a member or a stranger would be welcomed and asked questions about what their needs were and how the church could help. There might be a group of people that specifically went through the crowds looking for people that looked lost or needed comfort.
How cool would it be to have a staff that had expertise in different areas of life that you could make an appointment with to discuss your issues. Just like at the Store, they’d meet you at the door, and work with you to resolve your problems.
I don’t know how it is at your church, but at mine, if we make eye contact, then it’s a good day. When things like historical culture and salvation by works find a place in your church, it can seem like you are running Windows.
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