Our renewal effort moves on.

Recently I compiled a prospective member list. Guess what I found?

We have over 40 folks who are at some level, interested in our church.

This does not mean that those 40 people will all eventually join the church and become active involved members.

What is does mean is that there is a significant measure of welcome and vitality in our church that has made space for them to connect in some way with the fellowship of believers that is First Christian.

You are a part of this when you speak to a guest on Sunday in the sanctuary or volunteer to be a greeter or a host/hostess in the fellowship hall.

You are a part of this when you invite someone to join your class, small group or invite them out for coffee. You are a part of this when you stay informed about the activities of the church and share that information with guests.

We are forming a new protocol for greeters which will help them be better at what they do.

First, a greeter needs to be informed about the nursery, the restrooms, where the first aid kit might be, where a family might find an extra diaper, about Children Worship and Wonder, etc.

Secondly, a greeter must know that their work is not to engage someone in a  protracted conversation, lest they miss greeting others.

Third, greeters are there to greet our long time members too.

Fourth, they must be empowered to help someone from their  car to the door, hold an umbrella for someone with children in tow, or assist someone parked in the handicapped spaces. (We have four new handicapped spaces in the second row near the door.)

You get the picture.

We are now greeting outside the door then letting the inside greeter hand out bulletins and offer another warm greeting.

We are already hearing positive comments from guests and even members about the warm encounter they received when arriving at the church.

Just a reminder, only if you are able, please park behind the church or down near Cypress Street to allow our guests to have a better selection of parking spaces to choose from.

This shows what can happen when we sit down and talk about how we can improve.

Moving to the deeper places,
Jeff