SECRET VISITOR STRIKES AGAIN
Warm & welcoming:
This Cleveland church raises the bar
What if every member of a church acted as if he or she were an official greeter? The results might be somewhat like the members of the medium-sized Cleveland District church my family and I visited recently.
By Clint Cooper
THOUGH WE WERE armed with a web site map to the site, a sign on the main highway pointed us toward a group of churches, one of which was the local United Methodist congregation.
One sign outside the dark brick building had the cross and flame logo, the church's name, and weekly service times. A second, older sign publicized an upcoming community service.
Three handicap parking spaces at the rear of the building and a wide ramp afforded easy access for the disabled. Parking for others was available in the church lot or close by on a quiet street.
Moments after we drove up and were still sitting in the car, a couple on their way inside who had no way of knowing us offered a friendly wave. On the front lawn, a group of five men smiled, waved, or spoke to everyone who approached.
Inside the small vestibule, we quickly searched for a worship service bulletin before my wife heard someone mention they had run out and had to go get more. Instantly, though, two people thrust their bulletins in our hands.
A woman who may have been an usher - she also sang in the choir and was quick to speak to us again after church - asked if we needed to be shown a seat. As there seemed to be plenty of room, we found our own.
From that moment until we walked out the door, fully a third of the nearly 100 people in attendance - nearly a third bigger than their 2003 average attendance - shook our hands, welcomed us, or invited us to return.
A man who sat in front of us asked us if we would sign a visitor card. He got up from his seat and brought us one along with a pencil.
The worship leader and pastor both extended general welcomes to visitors. Another welcoming message was placed in the bulletin and an extended greeting time during the service brought us warm smiles and hellos from fellow worshipers.
The warmth continued during a sharing time of joys and concerns as people - young and old, some in jeans and some in suits - seemed eager to speak up and share what was on their hearts.
The pastor, who spoke with a natural ease and smile, oblivious to squealing children and nearby train whistles, concluded his remarks with an invitation to discipleship.
One congregant was happy to direct us to a restroom as we were leaving - but before we could leave, we were again offered greetings by others who hadn't yet spoken to us.
As the United Methodist Church enters its Open House Month, there's no telling how many newcomers would return to our churches in October if others followed the example of this Cleveland District congregation.
Clint Cooper is faith editor of the Chattanooga Times Free Press and a member of First-Centenary United Methodist Church.
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