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Dear Friends,
During meetings with church leaders at two different member churches recently, the same question was
asked. "What do you mean when you say that our NA churches need to relearn hospitality?"
I rattled off a list of questions: When was the last time you painted/changed your church
sign? Is there a person (not the minister) greeting people at every entrance to your church
every Sunday? What kind of landscaping does your church have? Do you have information
posted in readily accessible places that tells people about who you are, what your church is doing
for the sake of Christ in the missions and programs it supports? How often do you advertise
and share such information? What community groups meet in your church? Do you have
any flower gardens near the entrances to your church? Do you have a
coffee hour, or fellowship time after each worship service? Is a deacon or
deaconess assigned to find different ushers each week? Do those ushers
make an effort to search out new faces during the coffee hour? Is your sound system adequate?
Do you have current material on your bulletin boards? Do you have helpful literature at
every entrance/exit for people to take? How do you give attention to visitors/guests? How do
you give attention to new members? How do you follow up with people who have visited
your church or worship service? Is your worship bulletin "user-friendly?" Do you regularly
invite people to take advantage of opportunities to serve the needs of others through your church? Do you look
for feedback regularly from your visitors and members? Do you advertise in local papers, on radio, TV, or web site?
There are more. But you get the idea. It is vitally important to have educational programs, dynamic worship
services, youth activities, mission-mindedness, and countless opportunities and events in and through a local
church, but the first impression that people get when they attend your church is often the one which answers the question
of whether they will be participating in any of them.
Practice hospitality. It is one of the most effective ways to invite people to your church.
Grace and peace. CARLSON RESIGNS AS FOUNDATION PRESIDENT
Reluctantly, Rev. Bob Carlson
had to resign as President of the Board of Governors of the
newly-formed Congregational Foundation for health reasons. We are thankful that
Hal Frentz has volunteered to
step into the position until June. We send our prayers to Bob.
"FACING FORWARD" CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CHURCHES
Port Byron Congregational
Church, Port Byron, IL, celebrated the
155th anniversary of its founding by
rededicating its meetinghouse on September 26, 2004. The
congregation has held continuous worship services since the dedication of its
building in 1856. Its pastor is Dr. Robert Sullivan.
The Congregational Christian Church of North Manchester,
IN, will dedicate its Family Life Center on October 30, 2004. The
entire weekend will be filled with praise and worship, food and
fellowship, and sharing of the church's vision as the Bright Light on the corner
of Fourth and Walnut.
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