The Three Church Experiment

For the past few weeks I have been visiting different churches because I am looking for one closer to my home.  During this process, I have made some discoveries that not only helped me see where the church needs some improvement but also where I need to make some improvements on my own.

All of the churches I went to had a few things in common.  Great  music and great inspiring sermons.  There seemed to be a common theme recently about laying shame by the wayside and realizing  your value as a child of God.  Great stuff.

The problem came in the actual welcoming process within the congregation.  I, as an avid, yet shy churchgoer, felt very intimidated at walking into a new church alone.  I did not know one person there.  In the first church I stood in the lobby for about 10 minutes looking completely lost and alone.  I didn't even know where to go for the service.  Most people were standing around in the little cliques drinking coffee.  Some would glance my way, but quickly turn back to what they were doing.  I finally found the sanctuary and went in and sat down.  The little cliques were also congregated in the sanctuary and continued talking without so much as acknowledging me.  Being the shy person I am, I decided it was my fault and I should just go up and try and strike up a conversation with someone after church, but by that time people seemed in a rush to leave and go home.  So I just left too.

The second church I went to was great in every way.  I went in a bit skeptical because it is a megachurch with a very well known and controversial pastor.  But from the second my car pulled onto the property, I felt acknowledged, recognized, and loved.  They gave me VIP parking.  A volunteer came right up to me and welcomed me, asking if I needed prayer for anything as I stood in the long line just to get in. We prayed together about my daughter who has cancer of the brain stem.  I was also given a card to return to the welcome booth after the service and get a free t-shirt.  So many people welcomed me, full of smiles, and I felt genuine love from them.  I could tell it was not an act reserved for Sundays.  A volunteer also led me to a seat near the front of the church since it was my first time.  The church was filled with so much spirit and I could feel the love of Christ.  After the service, I took my card to the guest booth and a group of volunteers prayed with me again, and I got a free T-shirt as well.  I felt at home the entire time.

The third church I went to was much the same as the first.  I went in, not knowing where to go.  I had read online that if you are a first-timer to go by the Welcome Booth and someone would help me by showing me around, introducing me to people, and finding a seat.  I went to the Welcome Booth and people were in little cliques talking about the Panther game.  I stood there, feeling so alone while the people at the booth just kept talking.  Theyfinally saw me but did not acknowledge me until I said, "Hi.  This is my first time.  I'm not sure where to go."  At that point one of them said "Welcome", and pointed to the santuary, telling me they tend to start the service late.  I looked in the sanctuary and nobody was in there yet, so I went to the restroom to kill time.  When I came out I went into the santuary.  It was a great uplifting service about how in a church we should be able to be open, honest, real, and safe with one another.  During the service, new people were to fill out a card, take it to the welcome booth and get a little gift bag.  I turned in my card to the booth,, but no gift bag was offered.  Still, no conversation with anyone.

My point is this.  How are we, as a church, supposed to draw in new people if we refuse to welcome them?  It is so intimidating to go to a new church, even for a regular churchgoer.  I can't even begin to think what a person new to church would have thought had he been in my shoes.  When a person walks into a church, he is looking for something.  He is looking not only for God, but for fellowship, love, community, acceptance, direction. We cannot just assume that the person will make the first move.


I include myself in this.  The church I regularly attend is large and I have been going for years.  It is easy to get lost in the crowd.  I only know a handful of people myself.  Still, I am guilty of looking the other way when I see someone standing in the lobby looking lost.  This has to stop, and I am making up my mind to be more welcoming.  As a church, we could make a difference in so many lives if we would all do this.  We are the face of Jesus to anyone who walks into  our church.