Church Shopping

Church shopping is a strange thing isn’t it? I mean there are so many things to “shop” for, especially when we know it’s going to be so short term.

We normally choose the churches based on their web sites. So that’s a tip for you church workers. A well made, informative, easy to use web site is great for attracting visitors.

Since we have moved to Shreveport, I have not had consistent internet access, so I was not really able to research a church to visit this past Sunday. We decided to visit one that we drive by on our way home.

We headed to church but were early and decided to drive around the block. As we did, we past another church. I had seen their website and they had more cars in the parking lot and started in 30 minutes. We decided to try this one instead, but needed to drive around to kill some time. While we were driving, we past a number of other churches. Then we drove past this larger church with multiple buildings, a big out door play ground, a huge indoor playscape, parking lot attendants, and door greeters.

Door greeters are very important to me. Most churches now a days have more than one entrance. We have been places where it is not always clear what door to enter and then where to go after that. As first time guest, we have been left wondering aimlessly around hallways trying to find the nursery and even the auditorium! A door greeter is a very important step to making people feel comfortable even before they enter the building.

Getting back to it…We felt pretty guilty about deciding to try this church, because we were lured here by their “stuff.” Isn’t it supposed to be all about God? But as a visitor, not knowing anyone in the town how else do you decide such things. And aren’t these things a good reflection of how they serve their members and visitors?

We stopped and asked the guy parking cars what time the service started. He told us and directed us to a visitor parking spot. He waited for us then told us which door to go in and where the visitor desk was.

From the visitors desk we were “adopted” by this couple. From that point on they never left our side. They helped us get the kids checked in and then gave us a tour. This place is crazy. The “Kid City” is over the top! It’s a huge stadium style auditorium. There’s a free play game room and a huge indoor playscape.

This playscape is a GREAT idea. It is fully enclosed but connected to the coffee shop. They are open during the week from 7-9. So I can go and get some coffee and use the free wifi while the kids play on the playscape. What a great idea! You get people comfortable with being at the church; gives mom’s a place to socialize and provides the kids a great place to burn off all the energy. So, much better than going to McDonalds.

Back to our visit…
With everything being so polished and slick we expected to feel that the people were not genuine. But to the contrary they were all honestly excited that we were there. We were so warmly greeted by everyone. It was a little over whelming.

The pastor does this crazy thing with all the first time guest that I have never even heard of, let alone experienced.
After a little bit of worship they ask the first time visitors to stand. Okay this is embarrassing, but we were warned twice that this would happen. You are then greeted by a member, sitting near you, and you are escorted out of the auditorium.
Yeah, I know strange, right? But they did warn us.
They lead us all over to the coffee shop where we sit and visit with the church member. Then the pastor and his wife walk around shake hands and greet each and every visitor. Finally he addresses the group and expresses his joy that we are there and tells us a little about the church. When he’s finished your “new friend” walks with you back to the worship already in progress.
They started to do this because due to the size of the church, the pastor was unable to meet most of the visitors and he really wanted to talk to everyone.

The whole thing was awkward, overwhelming, and strange but so welcoming and inviting. I think it’s a wonderful idea if the members step up and do their part of making sure the visitors are not standing alone.

All in all it was good visit and we plan to attend next week. How exciting…
Oh I almost forgot, when we got home I looked at their website. It does not do them justice. It’s not informative and the calendar of events is blank. Based on the website we probably would not have chosen to visit this church.

(Wow, this entry was seriously too long. Sorry.)