Church Decorum Series: Fasting
Lesson Eight: Visitors
Lesson Seven: Fasting | Lesson Six: The Dress Code | Lesson Five: Altar Ministry
Lesson Four: Presiding | Lesson Three: Prayer | Lesson Two: Learn To Be A Student | Lesson One: Be Observant
Let’s say you visit a church, find that you really like it, and are extended the right hand of fellowship. You meet with the Pastor and agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the church. But then you start asking yourself, “What rules am I supposed to keep?”
Have you ever found yourself in this predicament?
When I went to the first Church Of God In Christ International Holy Convocation held in St. Louis, I was impressed, but a little disheartened, by a book that our Presiding Bishop and Mother Blake wrote about how the saints should deport themselves. While the information was very useful, I was surprised that we needed to be told some very basic things.
Then I remembered when I first came to the holiness church. Can you believe I did not even own a dress! I did not know what to say or what to do. I felt so inadequate those first few times I visited.
For those of us who have been in the church for a long time, we tend to assume that everyone knows the basics of church decorum. But over time, I’ve come to realize that there are just some things we won’t know – unless we are taught.
Well have no fear, this year I am here to help! It’s 2013, a brand new year, and I will be focusing on church decorum – those things we wished someone told us so we wouldn’t have felt out in left field while everyone else was in right. I’ll be covering lots of topics, including presiding, speaking and teaching; praying for different occasions; dressing modestly; altar work and laying on of hands and more. I’ll also be taking topics from you! Simply email your suggestion to Blog@holinesstabernaclecogic.org and you just may find your idea as the focus of one of my monthly blog posts.
Before we begin, I would like to start with a disclaimer: RULES AND REGULATIONS DIFFER FROM CHURCH TO CHURCH. IT IS ALWAYS WISE TO FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE PARTICULAR CHURCH YOU ATTEND.
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Luke 4:23 says, “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” When we love our church and feel it has something to offer, we will invite others to visit. Sometimes we find it difficult to talk to others about Christ, but inviting them to church can be an easier way for us to reach them. It allows them to see how we worship and opens them up to the opportunity of developing a relationship with Christ.
Sometimes we’ll find that the people we invite really enjoy themselves in service. Indeed, inviting visitors is also a way of promoting church growth. Having a guest at church can be a pleasant experience for the member and the invitee. The following are a few tips to help your guest feel more comfortable during their visit.
Get to church on time: It looks really bad when your own guest arrives at church before you. It puts them in an uncomfortable position. Visitors already take a brave step just by coming to a place they are not familiar with or know any of the people they will encounter. Being there to greet them will put them at ease and make them feel more comfortable
Sit with your visitor: If at all possible, sit with your visitor to explain to them the way service flows. If you are unable to sit with them because you are on the program, introduce them to someone in the church and let your visitor know that this person will take care of them.
Introduce your visitor: Take the time to introduce your guest to the church members – especially your pastor and first lady. Don’t leave it up to them to wander on their own. If you are unable to do it before service, take the time to do it after service.
Inviting other “members”: It is not a good practice to invite people to visit your church when they have their own service to attend. There are so many people who don’t go to church at all or don’t go on a regular basis that we can invite. Pulling a member from their own service disrespects their leader. Invite them on a day they don’t have service.
Don’t share church gossip: One of the worst things you can do is apprise your guest of church gossip. Your purpose should be to win souls and not drive them away. When I first moved to this area I attended a church I really enjoyed. Shortly after visiting, a young lady who had obtained my number called me and gave me the “low down” on all the members of the church. I must say, it made me think twice about joining that church.
Explain the offerings: Tell them about offerings beforehand so they won’t feel pressured about their donation. Giving offering is something that can dampen people’s spirit if not approached wisely. Notice how people’s attitudes change during offering time. A visitor should understand that they are not paying for the service.
Thank them for coming: Make sure you thank your guest for coming and let them know that you enjoyed having them there to add to the service. This lets them know that you appreciate them responding to your invitation. Your guest had choices and they chose to come to your church.
Having visitors come to your church will add to your services and help fill your church. Take the time to invite people to your church, and when they come, remember to make their experience an enjoyable one.
Excellent lesson in the basics of visitor 101. You are right that there are people who have never learned or have since forgotten some basic principles. One point really stands out: "Introduce your visitor." The person who invited the guest should be the one to introduce him/her because the visitor is often too shy to say anything. Once introduced, then members can address the visitor by NAME and they feel so much more welcome.