Two Simple Things You Can Do

Here are two simple things you can do on Sunday morning to enhance a visitor's experience of our church:

Number One: Make sure you say hello and welcome them. This doesn't necessarily mean you have to get into a long conversation with them. But let's say a new family walks in and you see they've talked with a couple families already, and now they're sitting down waiting for the service to begin. Why not go over to them really quick and say, "I don't think I've seen you here before and I just wanted to welcome you. We're glad you joined us." That's it. And if you see that no one has really talked with them at length, maybe you'll make it a point to go over to them as soon as the service ends and talk with them a little longer - especially if they seem like a family or person you might have some commonality with.

But we've got to be strategic about it. If you want to help the church grow and if you want to enhance a visitor's experience on Sunday morning, just say to yourself before you get to church, "I'm going to make it my goal today to welcome a visitor." Purpose in your heart to be on time to church. Don't stroll in late. Plan to get there early in case someone new walks in. We don't want visitors walking in ten minutes early while we're running in at 9:59 am or 10:02 am! It's a small sacrifice that will yield a big reward.

Number Two: This is huge: Sing your heart out. Let me start by saying this: people are desperate for true life. Generally speaking, they are attracted to excitement and passion, not boredom and gloominess. That's why people like to hoop and hollar at games or go dancing or go to concerts or party and laugh and have good times. They're desperately seeking life and authentic joy (albeit in the wrong places). When unbelievers come into our worship gatherings, they should not experience a bunch of stiff suburbanites who are so self-conscious that hardly anything comes out of their mouths when they sing. I call that "statue worship". Frozen. Still. No life.

I'm not saying you have to act weird or sway back and forth or jump up and down. Most of us aren't going to do that (although it wouldn't be wrong if we did). But we are required to sing with passion and exuberance. There is nothing more thrilling than listening to a crowd of God's people sing from the depths of their hearts. It doesn't matter if it's hymns or contemporary songs. Style isn't the issue. Ever notice how silly our musical preferences seem when our hearts are truly filled with joy from God? When that happens, our silly preferences go right out the window.

Unbelievers should walk in and feel excitement, passion, and joy. So, sing with all your heart. If you feel like raising your hands, you should obey that prompting from the Spirit of God and do it. Physical expression adds to a worship service in a very special way. Don't worry what others are thinking! Some say, "I don't want to distract others by drawing attention to myself." Hogwash. If they're distracted by you raising your hands or singing loudly, that's their fault, not yours. If they look down on you because they think you're trying to look spiritual, they're going to have to answer to the Lord for that. When David took his robe off and danced before the Lord his wife was disgusted with him. 1 Samuel 6:16 says, "...she despised him in her heart". And then she said to him:

"'How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants' female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!' And David said to Michal, 'It was before the Lord (I danced) ... and I will celebrate before the Lord. I will make myself yet more contemptible than this, and I will be abased in your eyes. But by the female servants of whom you have spoken, by them I shall be held in honor.' And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death" (2 Samuel 6:20-23).

That last line teaches us that God doesn't like it when we judge other people's motives when they're worshiping Him. If someone seems to be promoting himself during worship, just let God deal with him.

So, in summary: Remember to say hello, and remember to sing with all your heart! Two simple things.