How Soon Will Your Denomination Die?
Also, Covocational Ministry Mobilizer Roles for Congregational Ministry
In This Edition
How Soon Will Your Denomination Die?
Covocational Ministry Mobilizer Roles for Congregational Ministry
Guest Services is Not a Throw Away Ministry
How Soon Will Your Denomination Die?
Check out the video of George talking about the decline and death of denominations.
Average Age Of Weekly Religious Service Attenders
Covocational Ministry Mobilizer Roles
Check out the video of George talking about Covocational Ministry Mobilizer Roles
Guest Services is Not a Throw Away Ministry by Mary Ann Sibley
Guest Services is NOT a throw-away ministry! (Full disclosure here, my family is still looking for a church home and we are not giving up!)
While there are many things to consider in finding our church home, we have narrowed it down to a few non-negotiables and one of them is how we are greeted, and seen by volunteers (IF there are any volunteers.)
WHY?
Because a church that values volunteers says they value people!
Because if places like Disney or the fanciest restaurant can provide remarkable guest experiences for a vacation or meal...then churches can and should do better because we are talking not only about eternity but the abundant daily life that Jesus tells us we can have now.
Because "the sermon starts in the parking lot". From the moment we pull into a parking lot to the time we leave, we want and long to know that each one of us matters and that it's not just "lip-service" when we hear from the platform, "We are so excited you are here today!" Regardless if it's our first time or our 100th time.
Last Sunday, we visited a small church meeting in a traditional church building in the middle of a neighborhood. They had Flutter Flags at the main road (2 intersections prior to their street!) Yay! Sure, we had GPS but that little detail signals, "You are on the right path!"
It gets better!
There was a volunteer standing, "hands-free" aka not drinking coffee, at the main parking lot entrance. Ya'll, it was about 35 degrees! He was wearing ear warmers and a huge smile. He was 100% focused on making sure he saw and welcomed every vehicle. I immediately settled down and had a brief chat on our way inside the building. Connection! Check.
I wanted to thank him for serving - IN THE COLD - on our way out. But there was no one in the parking lot. I noticed several cars in the road, waiting for the small parking lot to clear out for the second service. One driver started to pull into the "wrong" lane as we were crossing. Where were the volunteers?
Okay. So maybe not a deal-breaker. But here's the thing about that.
Too often settle for things that aren't "dealbreakers" and yet, consider IF the same volunteers - Parkers or Roadies - were serving in between the services, saying "Thanks for joining us today!" or "Have a great day!" or simply smiling and waving.
What a refreshing and lasting great impression!
So again, not a deal breaker and we plan to visit tomorrow for the second time and try the second service to see if anything is different from their first service. Stay tuned! Get more information HERE.
I'm cheering you on - only because of Jesus,
Mary Ann