Throughout my childhood and teenage years, we lived next door to the church where my dad was pastor. The upside was that I could always roll out of bed and still get to church in less than two minutes. But on the downside, it seemed we always had to be ready for company.
Living in the shadow of the church, we never knew when a church member or someone in need might drop by. Most pastors’ families live in a bit of a fishbowl. But when the fishbowl is also next door to the church, you learn to keep an eye out for company. Don’t tell, but for some visitors you may even close the drapes and hide.
I’m mostly kidding, of course. But I’m not kidding when I say that, in a similar way, churches are not always ready for company. Unwittingly, they can do the equivalent of closing the drapes and hiding, or at least making their guests feel they did.
I recall vividly a church our family visited several years ago in Georgia. It was August, we had just moved there, and we chose to visit the churches closest to our home first. Though our family of five walked into the church’s main entrance on a Sunday morning, the small class meeting in the auditorium seemed shocked by our intrusion. As they dutifully scrambled to figure out who we were and what to do with us, it was clear to us that this was a church that didn’t expect guests.
How does a church get ready for company? This is especially important for churches to consider as the fall and back-to-school seasons approach.
It starts with praying for company, inviting company, and then expecting company. The missionary purpose of each church is to join Jesus in seeking and saving the lost, especially in its own community. Many churches focus on this during seasons like Christmas, Easter, or perhaps Vacation Bible School. But churches truly intent on reaching the lost make readiness for guests a part of their culture, with a year-round commitment and posture.
For example, in today’s world, an up-to-date and inviting church website is essential. Most potential guests now check out a church online before they decide to visit in person. In addition, a church that plans events and provides services that are sensitive to the community’s needs gives its members multiple reasons to invite their friends. And challenging members to pray specifically for one or more lost friends helps them focus their invitations on those who need them most.
A church with a heart of readiness usually finds that its hands and feet quickly follow. When you are praying for, inviting, and expecting company, you also find yourself looking around the church building to see what’s messy, what’s worn or broken, and especially what might be confusing to newcomers.
You also think of multiple ways to greet guests warmly, beyond just handing them a bulletin. Just as you would for company at home, you watch for them. You may meet them before they even get to the door. You help them know where to go. And a warm question like “Is there anything else I can do to make you feel more at home here?” can go a long way.
Of course, there are many other readiness steps a church can take. But none are more important than making sure that the love of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ is clearly and winsomely presented to everyone. We are inviting people not only into our buildings and into our friendship, but into the family of God for eternity.
Nate Adams is executive director of the Illinois Baptist State Association. Respond at IllinoisBaptist@IBSA.org.