Excel at greeting guests and visitors

In watching the videos of those who went to church the Sunday following the Charlie Kirk assassination I was cheered to hear so many speak of how warmly they were greeted.  The regular church goer does not realized that one of the most frightening things a person can do is attend a church where you don't know a soul and have no idea what is waiting for you when you arrive.

So, how does your church do in this important work?  If someone were to visit your church for the first time would they grade you church as warm and welcoming?  Would your church receive a passing grade?

Can I make a few suggestions? First, "good morning" is barely a greeting, especially to a newcomer.  With many folks it sounds perfunctory.  If a greeter welcomes someone they do not recognize, say: "Good morning! I don't believe I know you.  My name is ______."

99 times out of 100 the person will respond with their name.  They might even tell you that they are new to the area and looking for a church.  Or they might say that it is their first time attending your church.  With that information you can make sure they receive a bulletin or newsletter.  If your church has some kind of welcoming gift, make sure they receive one.  Help them find a place to sit (visitors usually are more comfortable in the back of the sanctuary.)  If they have children or youth, let them know where their kids might want to go.

When greeters make a good first impression it's that much easier for the pastor to connect with the visitor after the service.  And that goes a long way toward encouraging that person or family to return again.

Excel at greeting guests and visitors.  With everything happening in the world today, you might just come across someone who is seeking hope and peace.  What a privilege to point that person to the giver of lasting hope and peace, our Lord Jesus.

The Charlie Effect

I started watching the videos last night and they're still coming.  One person after another sharing that they had gone to church yesterday.  Some were returning after being away for a few years.  Others attended after being absent for 15 or 20 years.  A few went to church for the first time.

And I was amazed at the number of folks who explained that last week they purchased a Bible.  Others told how they went and found a Bible that had been given to them a few or many years ago and started reading.  Most of those folks had some knowledge of the Scriptures.  A few mentioned that they were introduced to the Bible at Vacation Bible School.  One young lady told of how her family read a chapter of the Bible each night before sitting down to dinner.  When she left home she gave up that practice.  But last weekend she went home and at the family dinner table she read the Bible with her family.

They are calling it the "Charlie effect."  I think it's just another example of God taking something meant for evil and using it for good.  God has a way of doing that.  Just look to the cross.  The evil of the devil and sinful men was trumped by the blood Jesus shed on that cross which covers our sins and make us acceptable to the Father.  I owe my forgiveness and salvation to an evil act which God used for my good and for the good of the whole world.

Does this mean that I'm glad Charlie was killed? Of course not.  Oh, if there was just a way of rewinding time.  We could spare the evil done to Charlie.  He would be home with his amazing wife and children.  He would be planning for future events.  He would have more opportunities to challenge young people to think about what they espouse.  He would continue to be free to witness his faith in and love for Jesus Christ.

Instead, I suspect that there were thousands and thousands, here in America and throughout the world, who attended church for the first time or after an absence of years. I pray that they heard a message rooted in the grace that is found in Christ alone.  And there have been thousands of requests for help in planting new Turning Point groups on High School and College campuses.  

Will all these people return to church next Sunday? Who knows.  I remember how packed churches were after 9/11.  Many of the folks who came to church then stopped coming after a few weeks or a few months.  

Still, I was so encouraged by the videos that I watched.  These people were not pledging to join Turning point or become Republicans.  No, it was church they were returning to.  Looking for direction.  Seeking answers.  Wanting to make sense of faith.  Wanting to learning who Jesus is and what He can do to change their lives.

Isn't it amazing what one man's witness of faith and love for Jesus can do in the world?  

Make heaven crowded

I have to admit that I didn't know much about Charlie Kirk and his Turning Point organization.  I was aware that he was a willing and effective debater and intentionally walked into the lion's den of collage campuses to have civil (mostly civil) discussions with those who disagreed with his beliefs.

Nevertheless, I was shocked to learn of the shooting and his death from an assassin's bullet.  And in the past three days I have been stunned and  dismayed at those who have gleefully celebrated his death.

Shall we be surprised at such an outpouring of hatred and evil?  Jesus taught in Matthew 24:9; 11-13 - Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by many nations for my name's sake.  And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.  And because of lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Charlie Kirk has been described as a political activist and a conservative commentor.  And much worse.  But first and foremost he wanted to be remembered as a man of faith, a disciple of Jesus, saved by grace through faith in the shed blood of his Savior on the cross of Calvary who rose from the dead on the third day.

Apparently he often told his wife that his goal was to "make heaven crowded."  I love that phrase.  I recently taught a Bible study on the last words of Jesus.  The Lord taught "Make disciples" by baptizing and teaching; "Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to all creation;" "Be my witnesses."  

And what is the result when the church takes seriously the last words of Jesus? Sinful people are saved.  The lost are found.  Repentance, faith and salvation are worked in the life of a lost soul.

Heaven becomes crowded.

Of course, there is no way that God's kingdom can run out of space.  But you catch Charlie's drift, don't you.  Each time a person confesses Christ Jesus as the one Way, Truth and Life, Satan mourns.  And fumes. But the devil give up or wave a white flag.  The evil one works that much harder and by any means necessary to fill hearts with hatred for God's confessing people.  And from what I have read the past few days on social media, Satan is having some success.

It seems very true - the love of many has grown ice cold.  But we don't despair.  It is only a matter of time before Jesus triumphal return and the devil takes his place in his permanent resident, #1 Burn in Hell Avenue.

Until then, let's contend for Biblical morality.  Let's love our enemy but not give an inch to them.  Let's show and share the Gospel so that more and more have what you and I have been blessed with - forgiveness of sin, power for daily living through the Spirit, and the certain of hope of eternal life.

Let Charlie Kirk's goal be ours as well.  

Make heaven crowded.

Christ's footsteps are so big

I don't have to match Christ's footsteps when it comes to my salvation.  They are just too big and deep for anyone to do that.  And it is not necessary.  When Peter wrote "Christ suffered for you..." He was referring to a done deal.  Christ took that deep step down from heaven, that giant step up to the cross, that horrible step into hell's suffering, and that victorious step out of the grave, He took steps that only God could, and because He did, my salvation is complete.  I don't even have to walk to heaven; the Savior will carry me.

Richard Lauersdorf 

Wisdom from Norman Nagel

It is only because God has come to be our Father that we can pray to Him.  Only because Christ has taken away our sins on Himself and wiped them out by His victorious death can we stand before God, forgiven, His children in Christ. Only as we are bound to Christ can we come before God as His children, for then God sees us in Christ, wearing the garment of Christ's righteousness.  This is the key to a living connection with God our Father.  All contact, all prayer with Him must be in Christ, in the name of Jesus, that is, with faith in Him.

From "Selected Sermons" page 139. 

Top Ten Discoveries Made Around the Church Office

10)       Pastor complains of one sleepless night after another when unable to get the VBS songs out of his head.

9)         Secretary is fed up having to hum the hymns to the pastor each week because “He can’t remember how they go.”

8)         Church custodian feels taken advantage of when told to wax the fellowship hall floors and the pastor’s car.

7)         Pastor discovers there is no place to hide from the head organist.

6)         Church staff refuses to call the pastor, “The Sermoninator.”

5)         The secretary tries to talk the pastor out of his latest outreach idea, “Reverse Offering Sunday” where visitors get to take money out of the offering plate.

4)         Office computers still function poorly even when upgraded to Windows ’98.

3)         Pastor blows a gasket when he reviews the Sunday bulletin and finds that the secretary has placed a “sad face” next to Confession, a “happy face” next to Absolution and a “sleeping face” next to the sermon.

2)         Church staff surprised to learn that the new copier is coin operated; color copies require a credit card.

1)          Pastor practices his “side hugs” on office staff.  Custodian threatens to “punch him out.” 

Today's Friday Funny

Master to dog: No more food! Your dog food bag says 1 cup.

Dog to Master: The Oreo box doesn't say 16 Oreos either so what are we going to do?

Master to dog: Ok, one more cup and that's it!

Dog to master: Oh, sorry.  I ate the rest of the Oreos.