bits from bob....

Visitors

by Robert J. Young
March 7, 2003
©, 2003, Robert J. Young
[permission is given to reprint with credit noted]

Have you noticed the visitors in our assemblies recently? We have had plenty of visitors. Some have visited for several weeks. Do you know their names? Have you introduced yourself and greeted them with a warm handshake and genuine interest? People do not visit churches because they 'have to' but because they 'want to.' Have you considered why some keep visiting while others disappear? Why do people continue to visit us? How do visitors evaluate us?

Is the Spirit of God expressed in our singing and teaching? Do our lives exhibit genuine Christian joy? Do people continue to come because of our doctrine? the preaching? Do any come to seeking to fill a void in life?

Regardless of why visitors come, all have one common desire. Visitors want more than friendliness, they want friendship. "People are not looking for a friendly church, they are looking for a friend." The only way people can know our friend, Jesus, is through us.

Have you noticed visitors in the assemblies? The basics of a growing church are friendliness that leads to friendship, hospitality, care, service, and FOLLOW THROUGH! We are concerned about reaching out, but people--visitors from our community--are in our midst every week!

Breaking into our nice, neat, polite friendship circles is often very difficult! That's not their problem--that's our problem! No church can afford members who always consider themselves visitors. No church can afford to ignore visitors.

Have you noticed any visitors lately? If you have ever been a visitor seeking a new church home, you have probably noticed our visitors. If you've never been a visitor trying to become part of a new church, you are probably wondering what this article is about. That's your problem!

Are we looking for opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others? Or are we just coming to church and being nice to visitors?


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Last updated March 7, 2003.