The View from the Pulpit:
Dear People of God Gathered at Resurrection Lutheran,
ALL THIS IN JUST 20 SECONDS!
A “guest” or “visitor” comes to Resurrection on a Sunday morning. Maybe YOU brought them (good mission work!). But will they come back? What are determining factors in guests returning to a congregation a second or third time? Is it about good sermons or friendly pastors? OR … ??
Studies by the Church Growth Institute (at Fuller Seminary, Pasadena, CA) and the Barna Group indicates that a large majority of church “visitors” or “guests” decide within 20 seconds upon entering the building whether or not they will return. Wow, 20 seconds! What can possibly happen in 20 seconds to make a difference?
First, they see the building. If it’s disorganized or dirty or run-down, not very inviting or welcoming! If the signage is unclear (or if there are no signs at all!) or they can’t find a place to park, they are gone! If there is litter or the furniture looks like “early American” Goodwill castoffs, what does that say? Would you stand for that in your home? Why would we stand for it in God’s home?
Next they enter the building … usually by the Main Worship Doors (though sometimes they come in other doors!). Will they be receiving smiles and greetings? If so … terrific! If not, their “outta here and there is NO NEXT TIME!” Will someone approach them and ask them their name? Will anyone remember them? When this happens, people feel good. As the old song goes, we all want to be in a place “where everyone knows your name” (remember the old TV show, “Cheers”?).
Now notice, all of this happens before they enter the sanctuary, before they sing the first hymn, before they hear the sermon! So … The point is that each member of Resurrection is on the FRONT LINE of MINISTRY every single Sunday! Certainly you come to worship. Hopefully you come to study and grow. But you also come here to MINISTER . . . for you know Jesus . . . and in the long run, that is all that matters! And once you know Jesus, then your task is to bring Jesus to everybody else!
So … on Sundays … remember how important YOU ARE to the Mission and Minis-try of Resurrection. And don’t forget those 20 seconds! You just may be the difference in God’s plan to bring one more individual to salvation! God bless you as YOU minister!
VACATION TIME IS HERE!
With summer upon us, and July almost half over, families are taking off on vacations. Some of the things that must be done before leaving are:
( ) have the mail stopped
( ) have the newspaper stopped
( ) board the family animals
How about adding one more item to your check list? Just as your house or apartment payments and your car payments and your utilities (and other bills!) go right on while you are on vacation, our church expenses continue also. We still have to pay the electric bill, the water bill, bills for Sunday school materials, salaries, building upkeep, etc. Please don’t stop your offerings like the newspaper or mail … instead, add this item to your checklist before you go:
( ) add church offerings to vacation finance planning and drop it off before leaving.
Even better, why not give your offering to the Lord online, which enables you to give without missing a Sunday? Just go to Resurrection’s website for more information and to sign up!
And A Parting Word …
The late Mother Teresa was often asked what the secret was of her success. She would simply reply: “I take the Lord at His word. Faith is a gift of God. Without it there would be no life. For our work to be fruitful and beautiful it has to be built on faith. Faith and love go together. They complete each other.”
Pastor Hank Hollar
