Go to Church Late

If you lead in any way at your church, you likely go in before the crowd arrives (maybe I'm assuming...). If that's true for you, it means you arrive on your church campus before...

• the heaviest traffic time and the potential scramble for a parking space
• any lines form at your children's center for child check-in
• knowing whether or not every necessary greeter role is filled
• the cafe or coffee area is backed up by caffeine junkies

So, I'm suggesting you go to church late. That's right, choose a weekend and go late. Intentionally.

Show up and experience the traffic flow. Stand in line with other parents who are trying to check-in their children before they're late for the main service. Observe the teams in place: is everyone serving in roles for which they're wired? Try to get a cup of java just before or right after the service starts.

The point is not to just experience it, but to assess it. Are your guests experiencing what you want them to experience?

A few weeks ago I chose a Sunday and showed up late. Between our two busiest, most attended services. While the traffic line was still formed on University Drive at our primary entrance. When folks were still showing up - late.

I actually took a few snapshots to get a real picture of the flow, the movement, the experience.

So, get your guests' perspective. See the experience from their angle.

Show up late for church next week.