Beyond Ten Minutes
I have seen church
studies that show people’s first ten minutes at a church will determine whether
or not they return for another visit. This is influenced primarily by how they
are greeted and welcomed by strangers, and the general vibe of a church
community. Others have indicated it is the ten minutes after the service that
matter most. Do congregations just up and leave with little contact or communication,
or do they take time to greet each other, and especially newcomers? Of this I
am certain, both ten-minute segments are important. But of even greater
importance is the heart or spirit that fills those time slots, and all of the
minutes before and after them, too.
Reading the Rule of
St. Benedict, a guidebook from the 6th century for people living
in Christian community, I was captured by the part concerning welcoming
guests. When guests arrived, they were
to be “welcomed as Christ” and “proper honor” shown to them. The members of the
community were to bow before the guests as a way of recognizing Christ in the
visitors. The abbot, the head of the community, would stop what he was doing and
wash the feet of the guests. Great care was to be shown in welcoming the poor.
Two of the brothers were assigned to the kitchen to be ready at all times to
prepare meals for guests. After a meal, visitors would then be provided a place
where they could rest.
For me, this still captures the true heart and spirit of
reach ministries, even if it was practiced 1,500 years ago. When we welcome
guests, newcomers, those outside the church as if they were Christ himself, it changes
everything! Our guests become our priority. We go out of our way to speak to
people we don’t know. We volunteer to prepare coffee and snacks as a show of
hospitality. We welcome people at the doors and in the breezeways. We help direct
parking of cars, not just for logistical reasons, but to welcome each car as if
Jesus himself were in it.
If we think of each guest as Jesus, it will change our
hearts and spirits in such a way that the first and last ten minutes are the
same … filled with a love, joy, and hospitality worthy of our Lord
Who knows how Jesus will come to us this weekend … but may
we be ready!
Together we are the hands and feet of Christ,
Brett
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