You are Jesus Christ as He Lives in Your Church

To the visitor, you are Jesus Christ as he lives in your church. In the church more than anywhere else, how you treat a visitor will show him what Jesus is like. At work or at a store you may be kind to a person, but it will not translate as directly to that person that you represent Jesus. But in the church every action will show what Jesus is like. Show him or her what Jesus is like by your personal interest and kindness to them.

Asking for the Name is a Compliment

To ask someone for their name is a compliment. It doesn't matter if it is the first time you have met them. It doesn't matter if you feel you should already know their name. In each case you are showing they are important to you. Compliment people by asking for their name.

Spontaneous Growth

Spontaneous combustion occurs certain conditions come together to ignite a material. Spontaneous growth occurs in churches when visitors are warmly welcomed and make new friends. If they feel wanted and accepted they will spontaneously tell their friends about the nice church they visited. They will begin to invite those people to join them at their new church. Start a fire in your church by reaching out to the new people.

You Can Be the Deciding Factor

The one common denominator people are looking for in a church is friendliness. Your personal friendship may be the major reason they chose your church. The outcome can be in your hands. Go out of your way to make them feel at home.

It Works if...

At the end of each Seminar I ask the audience to fill out a Comment Card. This was one comment: "Very informative. Well done presentation. I saw through your enthusiasm that, It works, if you work it."

Log the Names of Those You Meet

"Hi my name is Laurie. My grandpa was a Presbyterian minister in Pittsbough, PA. As a little kid I always wondered how he remembered everyone's name -in church, in the grocery store or on the streetcar. After he died, at the age of 96, I found out he had 30 volumes of little diaries of little descriptions and names of the people he met. I know everyday he lived for Christ. Thanks, Rich, for giving me the tips of how I can follow in his footsteps."

Be Humble not Proud

Th Lord accomplishes more from the humble than the proud. Put aside your pride -focus on the friendship needs of visitors and introduce yourself to them. If you fulfill their friendship needs, it will fulfill your friendship needs.