Pastor's Note | Sunday, May 24th
Sri Lankan priest D.T. Niles once noted that "Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread." How true that is! In recent weeks, under the leadership of Elder Sue Nelson-Brown, we have pioneered a renewed emphasis in evangelism - learning how we can most effectively tell others where we’ve found Jesus, the Bread of Life!
Sue and twenty other covenant partners are currently engaged in weekly evangelism training - being equipped to share the gospel with those outside our doors. It is my hope and prayer that 100% of our community go through this training by June 2016! Sue and I are working together toward that goal.
And yet, for a moment here, I’d like to invite us to think about welcoming visitors on Sunday mornings - a kind of "on campus evangelism."
Thom Rainer, author and president/CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources recently wrote on Seven Things Church Members Should Say to Guests in a Worship Service. Here they are:
- "Thank you for being here." It’s just that basic. I have heard from numerous church guests who returned because they were simply told “thank you.”
- "Let me help you with that." If you see someone struggling with umbrellas, young children, diaper bags, purses, and other items, a gesture to hold something for them is a huge positive. Of course, this comment is appropriate for member to member as well.
- "Please take my seat." I actually heard that comment twice in a church where I was speaking in the Nashville area. The first comment came from a member to a young family of five who were trying to find a place to sit together.
- "Here is my email address. Please let me know if I can help in any way." Of course, this comment must be used with discretion, but it can be a hugely positive message to a guest.
- "Can I show you where you need to go?" Even in smaller churches, guests will not know where to find the nursery, restrooms, and small group meeting areas. You can usually tell when a guest does not know where he or she is to go.
- "Let me introduce you to ___________." The return rate of guests is always higher if they meet other people. A church member may have the opportunity to introduce the guest to the pastor, other church staff, and other members of the church.
- "Would you join us for lunch?" I saved this question for last for two reasons. First, the situation must obviously be appropriate before you offer the invitation. Second, I have seen this approach have the highest guest return rate of any one factor. What if your church members sought to invite different guests 6 to 12 times a year? The burden would not be great; but the impact would be huge.
What do you think!? Could we begin to practice some of these seven things when we notice a new person joining us in worship? I think we can - and I think they just might help fellow worshippers find the Bread!
Pastor Curtis
More in News and Updates
July 24, 2021
Pastor's NoteJanuary 9, 2020
Venn DiagramsJanuary 4, 2020
One Step Toward Our 2030 VisionMore by Curtis Bronzan
January 9, 2020
Venn DiagramsJanuary 4, 2020
One Step Toward Our 2030 VisionSeptember 7, 2018
Mine!August 17, 2018
Start With WhyAugust 4, 2018
A Day at CBSJuly 27, 2018
VBS WeekJuly 5, 2018
RivalriesJune 7, 2018
Resident AliensMay 31, 2018
Counter CultureMay 25, 2018
Even Better Than Bounce Houses!?May 18, 2018
The Same SermonMay 11, 2018
"Big Church"April 19, 2018
Stay Forth!April 12, 2018
Next Door As It Is In HeavenMarch 30, 2018
Knocking On Heaven's DoorMarch 22, 2018
Skipping Through Holy Week?March 15, 2018
The "Good Life"March 8, 2018
A Little Fixer UpperFebruary 10, 2018
An Amazing Thing Happened on the Way to JerusalemFebruary 1, 2018
A Motor Car for the MultitudeJanuary 18, 2018
Our "Camp David"January 8, 2018
Who Is This Man?December 30, 2017
The Kids TableDecember 21, 2017
Hidden ChristmasDecember 7, 2017
Peace Be With You!November 30, 2017
Four Little WordsNovember 16, 2017
We Should Build a Confession BoothOctober 14, 2017
Other One AnothersOctober 10, 2017
"Change the World"September 30, 2017
Cast Upon a Horrible, Desolate IslandSeptember 22, 2017
Family SystemsSeptember 14, 2017
Words Create WorldsSeptember 7, 2017
Deeper Into Community, Further Out in FaithAugust 17, 2017
Reflections on CharlottesvilleAugust 3, 2017
The Shrewd Manager?July 28, 2017
One Body, Many PartsJuly 13, 2017
The Parable of the SowerJuly 7, 2017
Praise the Lord!June 30, 2017
If We Stop to Think About it for Two Minutes...May 26, 2017
5 Important Shifts Start with 1May 5, 2017
They Will Know Us By Our... Happiness!?April 28, 2017
From Your Pastor's InboxApril 7, 2017
Inviting All People...March 31, 2017
Lessons From RosetoMarch 23, 2017
Presbytery Gathering | Saturday, April 1stMarch 9, 2017
The Season of LentFebruary 23, 2017
Leadership DevelopmentFebruary 13, 2017
Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?February 2, 2017
Firing At the Wrong TargetJanuary 20, 2017
He Took Them With Him and They WithdrewJanuary 13, 2017
The Rearview and the WindshieldDecember 22, 2016
Starting 2017 RightDecember 22, 2016
The Third CharacterDecember 16, 2016
The War on Christmas (Is In Our Hearts)December 1, 2016
The Presbyterian's CabinetNovember 26, 2016
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like ChristmasNovember 17, 2016
Greek 101November 11, 2016
A Dangerous Thing to DoNovember 4, 2016
What Happened to Thanksgiving!?November 3, 2016
As If I Were A LobsterOctober 28, 2016
A Pumpkin in a JarOctober 21, 2016
"How's the Running Going?"October 14, 2016
Division of Labor, ContinuedOctober 7, 2016
Seeing ClearlySeptember 29, 2016
Staff AppreciationSeptember 23, 2016
Homogenous Unit PrincipleSeptember 20, 2016
Running, AgainSeptember 9, 2016
Forget What is Behind and Strain Toward What is AheadAugust 26, 2016
Growing TogetherAugust 18, 2016
Nine Ways to Pray for Church LeadersAugust 4, 2016
The WaveJuly 29, 2016
Thursday Night at the GreekJuly 22, 2016
Let the Little Children Come To Me...July 18, 2016
Pokémon Go and the Christian LifeJuly 1, 2016
Monkey BusinessMay 19, 2016
Going Viral... In Such a Time as ThisMay 12, 2016
Morning CartoonsMay 5, 2016
Preschool Open HouseMay 3, 2016
Session-Approved Action Items - April 26, 2016April 28, 2016
Intergenerational > MultigenerationalApril 28, 2016
"It Takes All Kinds"April 8, 2016
Then Jesus Told Them This Parable...April 1, 2016
Fishing for Fish?March 24, 2016
He Is Risen!March 17, 2016
The "E Word"March 16, 2016
Session-Approved Action Items - March 15, 2016March 3, 2016
High Trust, Low ControlMarch 3, 2016
Dispatches from the ECO National Gathering, Part 3February 24, 2016
Session-Approved Action Items - February 23, 2016February 18, 2016
Dispatches from the ECO National Gathering, Part 2February 11, 2016
Dispatches from the ECO National Gathering, Part 1January 30, 2016
ECO National Gathering, This Sunday, and Beyond!January 23, 2016
10 Reasons to Attend the Annual Congregational Meeting Instead of Watching the Broncos-Patriots GameJanuary 15, 2016
Everyone PlaysJanuary 13, 2016
Learning Backward, Planning ForwardJanuary 2, 2016
2016: A New BeginningDecember 24, 2015
2015... What a Year!December 18, 2015
Ask Not?December 11, 2015
An Invitation to Year-End GivingDecember 3, 2015
The Greatest Gift (and Mary's Response!)November 25, 2015
The Greatest Gift (and Our Response)November 24, 2015
Our ECO Introduction Video!November 21, 2015
What's Your Bag of Dimes?November 5, 2015
Report from ELI Training - Elder Sue Nelson-BrownOctober 28, 2015
Report from ELI Training - Elder Dan KrehbielOctober 21, 2015
Report from ELI Training - Elder Roberta RamontOctober 15, 2015
Disciple-Making at 35,000 FeetOctober 1, 2015
Be A Pest!September 30, 2015
Visitors < GuestsSeptember 19, 2015
By-LawsSeptember 18, 2015
New Wednesday Evening ScheduleSeptember 11, 2015
Welcoming TrainingSeptember 4, 2015
This Fall at Good ShepherdAugust 23, 2015
Staff UpdatesAugust 14, 2015
Introducing a New Member of our Staff TeamJuly 31, 2015
Steps Toward AlignmentJuly 16, 2015
Two Horses are Better than One (Or are They?)July 2, 2015
Pray Like JesusJune 18, 2015
The Discipline of CelebrationJune 14, 2015
Where There Is No Vision, People PerishJune 4, 2015
Pastor's Note | Sunday, June 7thMay 30, 2015
Upcoming Staff TransitionsMay 21, 2015
Pastor's Note | Sunday, May 24thMay 7, 2015
Pastor's Note | Sunday, May 10thMay 3, 2015
Mission Affinity Group questionsApril 2, 2015
Holy Week 2015December 23, 2014
Christmas Eve at Good ShepherdNovember 12, 2014
Bylaws for November 23rd Congregational MeetingNovember 10, 2014
Pastor's Note | Saturday, November 8thSeptember 22, 2014
Town Hall Meeting | Saturday, September 21stSeptember 5, 2014
Pastor's Note | Saturday, September 6thAugust 28, 2014
ECO National Gathering VideosJune 21, 2014
Pastor's Note | Saturday, June 21stMay 3, 2014
Pastor's Note | Saturday, May 3rdApril 12, 2014
Pastor's Note | Saturday, April 12thMarch 22, 2014
Pastor's Note | Saturday, March 22ndMarch 7, 2014
Meet Mallory Farrar!March 6, 2014
Pastor's Note | Saturday, March 1stJanuary 11, 2014
Pastor's Note | Saturday, January 11thJanuary 5, 2014
Pastor's Note | Saturday, January 6thDecember 14, 2013
Pastor's Note | Saturday, December 14thDecember 7, 2013
Pastor's Note | Monday, December 9thSeptember 14, 2013
Study Guide | Ephesians 3.16-21September 6, 2013
Study Guide | Isaiah 6.1-8August 22, 2013
Study Guide | 1st John 5.5-12August 16, 2013
Study Guide | 1st John 4.13-5.4August 1, 2013
Study Guide | 1st John 4.1-6July 27, 2013
Study Guide | 1st John 3.19-24July 18, 2013
Study Guide | 1st John 3.11-18July 5, 2013
Study Guide | 1st John 2.28-3.3June 15, 2013
Pastor's Note | Monday, June 17thJune 13, 2013
Study Guide | 1st John 2.7-11June 6, 2013
Study Guide | 1st John 2.3-6May 23, 2013
Study Guide | 1st John 1.1-4May 9, 2013
Study Guide | Rooted in ChurchMay 2, 2013
Study Guide | Rooted in God's GloryApril 27, 2013
Pastor's Note | Monday, April 29thApril 26, 2013
What Do You Enjoy about The Open Table?April 20, 2013
Presbytery Men's Annual BreakfastApril 18, 2013
Study Guide | Rooted in GraceApril 13, 2013
Pastor's Note | Monday, April 15thApril 12, 2013
Study Guide | Rooted in JesusApril 7, 2013
Pastor's Note | Monday, April 8thMarch 28, 2013
Study Guide | Matthew 28.1-20March 23, 2013
Pastor's Note | Monday, March 25thMarch 14, 2013
Study Guide | Matthew 9.9-13February 21, 2013
Study Guide | Luke 7.36-50February 19, 2013
After Thoughts | "Follow Me"February 14, 2013
Study Guide | John 6February 14, 2013
Marble, Soap, DustJanuary 31, 2013
Study Guide | Isaiah 28.23-29January 24, 2013
Study Guide | Genesis 11.1-9January 17, 2013
Study Guide | Genesis 3.1-19January 10, 2013
Study Guide | Genesis 2.8-20January 9, 2013
Did You Increase Your Pledge!?January 8, 2013
Let Your Life SpeakJanuary 8, 2013
Winter Camp Videos!January 3, 2013
Study Guide | Genesis 1.26-2.3December 27, 2012
Study Guide | Luke 2.22-35December 13, 2012
Study Guide | Luke 1.57-80December 6, 2012
Study Guide | Luke 1.39-56November 23, 2012
Study Guide | Philippians 4.10-23November 16, 2012
Study Guide | Philippians 4.2-9November 2, 2012
Study Guide | Philippians 3.12-16October 30, 2012
Election Night Communion GatheringOctober 26, 2012
Study Guide | Philippians 3.1-11October 11, 2012
Study Guide | Philippians 2.12-18September 20, 2012
Study Guide | Philippians 1.18-26September 13, 2012
Study Guide | Philippians 1.12-18August 30, 2012
Study Guide | Matthew 7.21-29August 28, 2012
Good Shepherd Goes Mobile!August 22, 2012
Renew Your Ralph's e-ScripAugust 17, 2012
Study Guide | Matthew 7.1-12August 14, 2012
After Thoughts | Richard WilkinsonAugust 11, 2012
Study Guide | Matthew 6.19-34August 3, 2012
VBS Performance: One Night Only!August 2, 2012
Study Guide | Matthew 6.7-15July 31, 2012
An Update from Jessica KnutzenJuly 27, 2012
Facebook Users: Don't Miss Out!July 26, 2012
After Thoughts | Les MiserablesJuly 24, 2012
Off the Shelf | Date Your WifeJuly 22, 2012
The Weekly | July 23rdJuly 19, 2012
Study Guide | Matthew 5.38-48July 13, 2012
Study Guide | Matthew 5.31-37July 10, 2012
The Weekly | July 7th & 8thJuly 6, 2012
Study Guide | Matthew 5.21-30June 30, 2012
The Weekly | June 30th & July 1stJune 28, 2012
Study Guide | Matthew 5.17-20June 23, 2012
The Weekly | June 23rd & 24thJune 16, 2012
The Weekly | June 16th & 17thJune 9, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, June 10thJune 7, 2012
Study Guide | Jonah 4.5-11June 2, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, June 3rdMay 31, 2012
Study Guide | Jonah 4.1-4May 25, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, May 27thMay 18, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, May 20thMay 16, 2012
After Thoughts | Jonah 2.1-10May 11, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, May 13thMay 10, 2012
Study Guide | Jonah 2.1-10May 9, 2012
After Thoughts | Jonah 1.11-17May 8, 2012
Women of Faith "One Day" EventMay 4, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, May 6thMay 3, 2012
Study Guide | Jonah 1.11-17April 27, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, April 29thApril 25, 2012
Women's Spring Luncheon | Saturday, May 5thApril 21, 2012
After Thoughts | Jonah 1.4-6April 19, 2012
Study Guide | Jonah 1.4-6April 17, 2012
Give Online: A Member's E-mailApril 16, 2012
After Thoughts | Jonah 1.1-3April 13, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, April 15thApril 12, 2012
Spring Special Needs DanceApril 12, 2012
Study Guide | Jonah 1.1-3April 11, 2012
New Saturday Evening GatheringApril 6, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, April 8thMarch 30, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, April 1stMarch 23, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, March 25thMarch 22, 2012
Christ in the PassoverMarch 16, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, March 18thMarch 9, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, March 11thMarch 2, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, March 4thFebruary 24, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, February 26thFebruary 17, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, February 19thFebruary 10, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, February 12thFebruary 3, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, February 5thFebruary 2, 2012
Groceries for Good Shepherd!January 26, 2012
The Weekly | Sunday, January 29thJanuary 23, 2012
e-Bulletin | Sunday, January 22ndJanuary 15, 2012
e-Bulletin | Sunday, January 15thJanuary 7, 2012
e-Bulletin | Sunday, January 8thJanuary 2, 2012
e-Bulletin | Sunday, January 1stDecember 27, 2011
Study Guide | The Letter to the Hebrews 11.1-6December 25, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, December 25thDecember 17, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, December 18thDecember 9, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, December 11thDecember 7, 2011
Study Guide | Simply Christmas: Luke 1.39-56December 6, 2011
Middle School Winter Camp | January 6th-8thDecember 1, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, December 4thNovember 29, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, November 27thNovember 11, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, November 13thNovember 8, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, November 6thOctober 29, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, October 30thOctober 21, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, October 23rdOctober 14, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, October 16thOctober 12, 2011
Study Guide | The Letter to the Hebrews 9.23-28October 11, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, October 9thOctober 2, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, October 2ndSeptember 27, 2011
Invisible Children present 'Tony'September 24, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, September 25thSeptember 22, 2011
Flu Shots | Sunday, September 25thSeptember 17, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, September 18thSeptember 10, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, September 11thSeptember 2, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, September 4thAugust 31, 2011
Study Guide | The Letter to the Hebrews 7.20-28August 27, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, August 28thAugust 24, 2011
Study Guide | The Letter to the Hebrews 7.11-19August 20, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, August 21stAugust 17, 2011
Study Guide | The Letter to the Hebrews 7.1-10August 15, 2011
Top 10 Reasons You Need to Go to the Women's RetreatAugust 13, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, August 14thAugust 7, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, August 7thJuly 30, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, July 31stJuly 21, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, July 24thJuly 18, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, July 17thJuly 10, 2011
A Pixelated LifeJuly 9, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, July 10thJuly 3, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, July 3rdJune 29, 2011
Study Guide | The Letter to the Hebrews 4.11-13June 28, 2011
July/August NewsletterJune 24, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, June 26thJune 22, 2011
An Update from JessicaJune 17, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, June 19thJune 10, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, June 12thJune 9, 2011
Serve at SHIP!June 3, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, June 5thJune 2, 2011
Love Wins (Or Does It?)May 31, 2011
Study Guide | The Letter to the Hebrews 3.1-6May 28, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, May 29thMay 24, 2011
The Danger of the Christian BubbleMay 20, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, May 22ndMay 17, 2011
2011 Campus Improvement ProjectMay 14, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, May 15thMay 7, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, May 8thMay 5, 2011
May/June NewsletterMay 3, 2011
Study Guide | The Letter to the Hebrews 1.6-14April 27, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, May 1stApril 23, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, April 24thApril 19, 2011
Celebrate Easter!April 15, 2011
e-Bulletin | Sunday, April 17thApril 6, 2011
In the Hands of the PotterMarch 30, 2011
The Letter to the HebrewsMarch 17, 2011
Be the MatchMarch 14, 2011
Study Guide | The Gospel of Mark 14.66-72March 4, 2011
From the HeartMarch 2, 2011
Study Guide | The Gospel of Mark 14.26-52February 24, 2011
Study Guide | The Gospel of Mark 14.12-25February 12, 2011
Healing Prayer SeminarFebruary 8, 2011
A Simple PathFebruary 3, 2011
e-BulletinJanuary 13, 2011
An Update from Matt & MichelleJanuary 11, 2011
Study Guide | The Gospel of Mark 12.28-34December 29, 2010
Study Guide | The Gospel of Mark 12.13-17December 21, 2010
Study Guide | When the Messiah Arrives: Isaiah 63.7-9December 17, 2010
End of Year Financial UpdateDecember 16, 2010
Christmas Eve GatheringsDecember 14, 2010
A ConfessionNovember 24, 2010
Family Advent NightNovember 22, 2010
When the Messiah ArrivesNovember 17, 2010
Canned Food Drive-ThruNovember 10, 2010
The Open Table Is A Hit!November 9, 2010
Heifer SundayNovember 3, 2010
Keep Up With Rachel!October 29, 2010
November/December NewsletterOctober 28, 2010
Date NightOctober 27, 2010
Study Guide | The Gospel of Mark 11.1-11October 22, 2010
Local Mission FairOctober 19, 2010
Staff BiosOctober 18, 2010
New Members ClassOctober 14, 2010
All Church Camp OutOctober 12, 2010
Fall Dance for Those With Special NeedsOctober 7, 2010
Good News ClubOctober 5, 2010
Honky Tonk PerfumeSeptember 27, 2010
GSPC 2.0
Leave a Comment
Comments for this post have been disabled.