Our senior pastor, Mark Beeson, says often - "New people can really be a headache for churched people. New people expect a parking space, a place to sit, and a place for their kids. And they don't know that you already have a choice parking space, a favorite seat, and a place for your kids." When a church is intentional about reaching new people who don't know they matter to God, new people will show up. And they will take your parking spot, and sit in your seat, and crowd your children's space.
Are you okay with that?
The reality is many churches aren't. By churches, of course, I mean people - 'cause the church is people.
I've visited churches who appear to be thoughtful about new guests by providing designated parking for guests. But there are only three spaces reserved! Really? You expected three guests? That's it? I've heard horror stories of church members standing in an aisle telling a guest, "that's my seat." Argggg...
Are you making room for new guests? Are you communicating that you expect them? [more on that in the next post]
What about:
- asking your volunteers, staff, and members to park in the parking spaces furthest from the building, leaving the front spaces for your newer guests?
- designated parking for guests - and making sure it's adequate in size?
- using ushers to seat guests, providing them choice seats without regard for "owned" seats?
- putting traffic teams in the parking lot who's job it is to not only direct traffic, but provide a warm welcome before guests and members reach the building?
