5 Ways to Help Make your Church Visitors feel Welcome

I was reading in a book today and it inspired me to make this blog 

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post for you.

Every church wants (or should want) visitors! Always be wanting to grow.

So, to help in this area, Here are some tips for the members to remember.

1. Smile at people. 

A smile can change a person's day and make them feel connected. When you don't smile, people can assume you are too arrogant or mean, even though you may be just thinking about something else. So do your best to smile at people you meet, walk past, or look at. 

2. Look them in the eyes.

 Looking people in the eyes is kindness. It says to them, "You count." And it reminds them that we are all part of the same human race. When you avoid looking people in the eyes, you seem cold and unattached, and that doesn't help to spread the love of Christ but hides it!

 3. Offer a hand.

 When someone is struggling with something heavy, offer them a hand. When someone looks lost, ask them if you can help. When you offer to help people, you share kindness with them and lighten their load.

4. Say hello.

In today's busy world it's easy to become isolated from the others, oblivious to the pain and concern of the people around us. But kindness gets involved; it steps into the lives of others, even if only to say hi. It WILL make a difference. Say hi to anyone that looks you in the eyes. Even if they don't look at you, interrupt their isolation and say hello. Remember, People remember Kindness! 

Click 'here' to read my blog post on "Love is an Action". 

5. Go above and beyond the normality. 

Here are 'rituals' visitors usually do at church. 
Go into the building,
find a seat near the back, (they wouldn't dare sit up front!) 
sing,
listen to the preacher,
get up and go. 
Do they ever re-visit? 

Rarely. It depends on a number of factors.

Make your church visitors Experience something different! The church should be Alive! Members, don't go find "your clique"... ...Instead, meet someone new! Get out of your shell yourself. If there's time, show them around the church. Introduce them to your pastor or to someone around their age. I'm not saying that it's wrong to go say hi to your friends, just don't be exclusive to others around you that you may not know.  Make them feel like they are welcome! 
Cause they are... 
Aren't they?

 Be friendly, courteous, kind, happy, (Don't act like a dead-Christian!) Being a Christian is fun so don't make it look boring by your countenance and austere demeanor. 

(Be sure to get their address and go visit them sometime during the week if they're interested. You should want your visitors to return and be glad they were there.) 

Make sure your church is Alive in Christ! Be Joyful in the Service of Your Lord and King. We need each other to do this! We're all important and can be used by God if we let Him. 

Click 'here' to read my blog post on "To the People of the Church". 

May God bless you! I hope this was helpful to you.

Feel free to Re-blog this or share this onto your Social networks or in a email to a friend!

To the People of the Church.

You are important! You are very important. 

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To the Usher, You have a big job! You are basically the face of the church. You are the first person the visitors see. 

To the Church-Cleaners, You are needed! Without you, God's house wouldn't be tidy!

To the Secretary, Without you, Pastor would be a lot busier than what he already is!

To the Nursery-workers, Without you, The services might have disruptions by those adorable, little ones! 

To the Sunday School teachers, Without you, The smaller children wouldn't have a foundation built on their level sort-of-speak, 

To the Members, Without you there would be no one for the preacher to preach to!

We ALL have our part in being members of the church. Never degrade yourself in thinking that you are not as significant as the other! We all need each other. We all have gifts in different areas that the Lord can use, if we let Him. 

1, Corinthians. 12:6
King James Version (KJV) - "And they're diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all"

The church needs every member to do his part!

1, Corinthians. 12:14-27
King James Version (KJV) - "For the body is not one member, but many.

{15} If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

{16} And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

{17} If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

{18} But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

God loves us all. We are very significant to Him and to His work.

{19} And if they were all one member, where were the body?

{20} But now are they many members, yet but one body.

{21} And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

{22}  Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

All of us are needed.

{23} And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

{24} For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

{25} That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

There shouldn't be gossiping, anger, or hatred in the church! We all need each other. The Lord hates discord. ESPECIALLY by the brethren...

{26} And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

Always be there for eachother especially during times of trial or test. But never try to decipher why one is having a hard time. Cause You do NOT know. Never assume anything. Do not assume that there could be sin in their life... Look at Job. Was there sin in his life? No. And yet look at all the trials / tests he went through!

{27} Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Through reading these verses we see that we are all needed in God's work in the church. Never think otherwise.

Never get discouraged brethren. We're all needed for the Master's use! 

2, Timothy. 2:21

King James Version (KJV) - "If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

May God Bless you Siblings in Christ! Continue Serving Him! If that is your calling to be in the ministry, you won't be happier doing anything else!

Feel free to re-blog or share this onto your social networks or in a email to a friend! 

Finish Well for God!

Great Devotion By Paul Chappell - A must read!

This came right from my “Rooted” Devotion Book" I bought in

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California. Written by Paul Chappell. It is really good and I want to share it with you.

The devotion is called, 

"Finishing Kick"

Hebrews 10:24-25

King James Version  (KJV) - "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

In 1954, Roger Bannister became the 1st person in history to run a mile in under 4 minutes, breaking a barrier that had withstood challenges for years. Other runners soon began to match his feat, and an Australian runner named John Landry actually broke Bannister’s new world time later that summer. In August, the two met at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver. Though Landry let for most of the race, Bannister surged ahead on the final turn and passed him with a strong finishing kick to win the race.

  Just as on the track, there is enormous value to finishing well in life. The temptation is to let up and coast as we near the end. Society promotes this concept with the view of retirement as a time to sit back and take it easy. Yet the Bible instructs us to do more. Of course there may be physical limitations as we age that will restrict what we can do, but there is no reason for a believer not to continue to grow and mature in spiritual matters throughout life.

(Here is the last paragraph  I have it bolded because it refers to my age group and to the younger generation. Well said Bro. Chappell!) 

It is a tragedy when people make the decision to cut back on their involvement with church, with witnessing, with giving, or with being a help and encouragement to others so they can “enjoy more leisure time”. This robs the church of what is meant to be a great source of wisdom and godly leadership. Those who have walked with God for many years have learned things which they can and SHOULD pass on to others. Rather then looking forward to the day when We can sit back and do nothing, we should be doing ALL WE CAN TO FINISH WELL.

(End Of Devotion)

     I thought that was so good and true! Wow, Sobering as well. Thinking how 80% of young people leave the church after age 18. We DO need to finish well, Not just because in Heaven we'll be rewarded for the work we've done here on earth for God's Glory but also cause the world is watching us. Wanting to see if we're real or not. Show them we are. Remember, We are a Bible the Lost are reading. 

Please leave a comment or Pass this on by Reblogging, sharing to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.

Are you a TRUE Friend? Pt. 2

Be a true friend. Here are some more tips.      

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"12 characteristics or things that a True friend has and does."

1. Don't talk bad about Anyone! Period.
2. Stand up for someone who is being talked bad about,
3. Share,
4. Don't get jealous and Never assume,
5. Stay confident and uplift others by doing so,
6. Always have a good attitude. Just because you’re having a bad day doesn't mean people should be able to tell by how you act…
7. Laugh and having a happy time with whoever you're with. Don’t be dull or boring.
8. Keep that friends secrets. They’re putting their confidence in you. Never take that for granted.
   
    (Of course if they’re having thoughts about committing suicide or something bad that they’re going to do. Don’t hide it! Being a true friend is also doing the right thing for the other person. Think about if what they’re doing is wrong or bad… )
   
9. Don’t be negative towards what others like. Show some interest and phrase how you feel in a kind manner.
10. Think before you speak. 
    Is it True?
    Is it helpful?
    Is it inspiring?
    Is it necessary?
    Is it kind?
11. Be there for your friends no matter what. No one wants a friend that is always in a shell or seems to be like you’re ignoring them all the time.
12. Be honest yet Kind. I mean, Just say what you mean, but don’t say it mean. 
    
    And then here is one more for good measure.
13. Always smile. Don’t look down. Your smile boosts your scale of attractiveness and gives other people a signal that you’re not a “Down person” cause no one likes a down, dreary person. The main people that people love are the funny, kind, helpful, happy spirited kinds. I mean don’t go all hiper on us (hehe) but be happy. Don’t be a dud.

I hope these tips were some eye-openers on whether or not you're a true friend. We all need a true friend. Are you one to somebody else?

Love is an Action

...not a feeling. 

How can we be sure that love isn't a feeling? 

It's Simple.

God commands you to love. 

1, John. 4:7
King James Version (KJV) - "Beloved, let us love one another: ..."

And because feelings can not be commanded, Love can not be a feeling. See, I can't order you to be giddy right now, it's not possible to force those kind of feelings. But actions can be commanded. I can command you to stand on one foot, and you could easily do it. At least I hope. 

So, if God is commanding us to love, He isn't talking about how you FEEL about someone but what you DO for them. Love is an action. not a feeling. 

Little things can be done to let someone know you care and love for someone. 

How to Show your Love for Someone

For family you can say I love you and show them by hugs or making a family member's bed for them. Something unexpected is a joyous surprise that proves your love instead of "Just saying It".

For friends you can say I love you, also, or when you see them, Say hello, offer a smile, Give 'em a hug, or a nod recognizing their presence.... Just something to show you're their friend and you care and love them. You could get them an unexpected gift, too.

Acts of kindness for a friend shows your love for  them.

For the Christian, Everything you do reflects God. You're a Bible the Lost are reading. For God's children, God shining through you is never more evident than when you are with Strangers especially, because it is in those moments when your kindness and concern for people who can do nothing for you can be seen based on what you do. 

It's easy to say that he is nice to his friends because his friends

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know him and he knows them or to his family because they're family... But when he is loving a stranger something magical happens. Those who are watching are intrigued and those whom he loves, become encouraged. Loving people we don't know reminds us that we are all part of the same human race. It gives hope to the lost and offers a small glimpse of the love of God. Remember that You're a Bible the Lost are reading. See not a stranger, but a Valuable Soul that's going somewhere. 

Don't ignore the people around you as if they're just "extras" in a Movie and You're the Star! I mean we don't like it when people aren't nice or kind or they ignore you...  So don't do it to others. 

Luke 6:31 

King James Version (KJV) - "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."

Everyone has feelings and you only get one chance to make a First Impression. Connect with them somehow...

For strangers, with eye-contact and a friendly smile. You can show love and kindness. Because see not a stranger but a Valuable soul!

When you get onto an elevator, make small talk. When you sit down next to someone in a Waiting Room, say hello. When being waited on by a server, talk to them like a person, not like a servant. People remember kindness. Make genuine interest in the souls around you. Whether they are beautiful or not. And in doing that you can be the sweet aroma of God to the souls you encounter throughout your week.

If you don't care for your family, friends and the strangers around you like you should, you could miss out on the call of your life - God's call to love others as yourself!

Mark 12:31

King James Version (KJV)  - "...Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."

Let family know you love them!

When was the last time you told a family member you loved them? For me it was this morning. 

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I pretty much tell everyone in my family "I love you" everytime I see them. ♥

Why you say? Cause anything could happen honestly... They could drop down and have a heart-attack or end up getting cancer and next thing I know they might not remember me, They could die in a car-wreck the next time they go out to run errands, they could end up getting really ill and unstable and have to be put in a nursing home near or far away...  You NEVER EVER KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN. Some things could just "Not be the same" at any given time. As my Grandfather says, "Life as you now know it could change in an instant." Sobering actually...

So......

 ...hug them while you can, love them all the time, laugh with them, hear them out, stand up for them and encourage them and their dreams and aspirations!! ♥

Why? Life is short. Too short. But we can make it sweet.  ♥ Be kind cause you'd want others to be kind to you. Love them because you deep down want someone to really, I mean really love you. You should take time to care for your family. You never really know how much longer you have with them. You never really know. Never know. 

I have not seen my family consistently for 6 and a half years before this last fall when we moved here. I love them so much and I know what it's like to not have family in your church, and to not have a hug from a family member every church service. So I hug them while I can when I can cause you never know what Life has in store.  I have missed seeing family. ♥♥♥

 I mean when your friends leave you or "they're just not your friends anymore" what do you got? Your family. They will always love you and care for you and they're just awesome.♥ You can talk to them about anything, they're there for you... I love my Grandparents, my amazing Aunt and Uncle who are encouraging... I don't want to take Christian Family for granted. And I have THE BEST cousins Ever! They're best friends of mine. You really don't have to ask. It's inevitable that we're friends and will ALWAYS Be.  I NEVER want to take a moment with them for granted. 

  So I say I love you to my family, I hug them,  I smile and laugh and crack jokes and share stuff and I know their likes and dislikes and it's good all through to have close family. It really is. You never ever wanna drift in YOUR family. 

Keep them close always to your heart. ♥