Jesus commissioned His disciples to take the good news about Him into all the world (Mark 16:15). We should be going out in our daily lives and sharing the Gospel with those with whom we come into contact and making the most of the opportunities given to us. We should be on the proactive side of things going into our community to engage those who are lost in sin. Still, there are times when the community comes to us. We are blessed to have many visitors who frequent our assemblies on Sundays and Wednesdays. We should give careful thought and attention to how we interact with our visitors. It is our hope that every visitor will eventually obey the Gospel and become a member of God’s church, and so, we should do all that we can to help that become a reality. We need to be sure that we serve as good advertisements for the Lord since we are His representatives to a watching world (2 Corinthians 3:2; 5:19–20). When visitors come to our assemblies, they watch us and take notice. We must not do anything that would be a stumbling block to their coming to Jesus, but instead, we should do everything to draw them closer to Him.
Be Kind and Welcoming
I once heard a football coach say, “First impressions are last impressions.” Though people can change their initial impression they leave with us, it is true that we rarely forget our first encounter with someone. When visitors come to our assembly, let us be sure to show them kindness and to extend a warm welcome. Everything we do is supposed to be done in love (1 Corinthians 16:14). As God’s elect, we are to be clothed with kindness (Colossians 3:12). The aim of our charge is love from a pure heart (1 Timothy 1:5). Included in the fruit of the Spirit is kindness (Galatians 5:22). Let us be kind toward those who grace us with their presence and do all that we can to show we are glad that they have chosen to worship with us.
Practically speaking, this means we should speak to visitors in the parking lot. When we get out of our cars and are approaching the doors, it would be a good idea to say, “Hello” or to give a kind wave to others entering the building. As you read the Gospel records, take notice of how often Jesus greeted individuals with whom He came into contact. His favorite greeting was, “Peace be with you” (Luke 10:5; 24:36; John 20:19; 20:21; 20:26). Jesus was warm, inviting and polite; we should mimic His behavior. We should not ask a visitor to get up or to change seats so we can have our preferred pew (Matthew 7:12). When we see visitors approaching, we should pause our conversations to greet them. We often mention in the announcements that we are glad visitors are here and we want to get to know them better after services. Our actions must show that we mean what we say (1 John 3:18). After services conclude, instead of going to our friends and those we see often, it would be wise to go to a visitor and ask him for his name, from where he has come, who invited him (if anybody), if he had any questions about the services and let them know we hope to see him again. If we are able and they are willing, we might occasionally invite a visitor over for dinner or out to lunch (cf., Luke 14:12–14). The last thing that should be said about Christians is that we were cold, stand-offish or rude (1 Corinthians 13:4–5). Let us be warm and welcoming. Visitors may become our brethren.
As those who have attended worship services frequently, we are pretty well acquainted with the order of services and how things go. Most visitors will not be as familiar with our services. When we see visitors flipping through the songbooks trying to find the song we are singing, we should be of assistance. If they come in for Bible class, let us show them where we meet or point them to the classroom for their children. We should not assume they know where to go and what to do. Recently, the men doing the Scripture reading have been saying on what page the passage can be found in the pew Bible. I believe this is helpful and wise, seeing that many today may be unfamiliar with the Bible. As Philip helped the eunuch navigate the Book of Isaiah and ended up converting him, we must be willing to reach over and help others who need assistance as well (Acts 8:26–31).
When we transition to different items of worship, we should clearly announce what we are doing and give a concise and scriptural reason why we are doing so (cf., 1 Corinthians 11:23–30; 16:1–2; 2 Corinthians 9:6–8). Before we launch into a prayer, it would be good to give visitors and members notice by asking them to bow in prayer with us. While some of these things may seem unnecessary or excessive, we should be willing to do these things to help others to be less distracted. Let us remove every barrier we can for others who may see our worship services as foreign and strange [unfamiliar].
Be an Example
Our worship must be in spirit and in truth to be pleasing to God (John 4:23–24). As Paul wrote to the Corinthians about their worship service, he told them that all things should be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40).
God is not the author of confusion but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). Paul warned the Corinthians that if their worship were chaotic, unorganized and confusing that unbelievers would think they were crazy (1 Corinthians 14:23). However, if things were done properly, the unbeliever could be convicted, and as a result, turn to God (1 Corinthians 14:24–25). While we do not possess the miraculous gifts present in the Corinthian church, we must possess the order and structure in our worship services that Paul required of them (1 Corinthians 13:8–13).
Furthermore, we should worship like we want to be present and truly love our God. When visitors see members sleeping, texting or thumbing through the Bible and not following along, what does this communicate to them? Are we not communicating to them that what we are doing does not matter to us and should not matter to them? If we are packing up as the invitation is being extended, we might be distracting someone from hearing the plan of salvation that they need to obey to be saved; we should be careful to think of others’ needs and to be considerate (Philippians 2:3–5). As we sing, partake of the Lord’s Supper, pray, give and follow along during the sermon, let us do it for God’s glory but also with the knowledge that outsiders’ eyes are on us. We must behave in such a way that God’s kingdom will not be evil spoken of because of us.
We love it when visitors come to our services. Let us behave in a way that will keep them coming back. Our worship services are to focus on worshipping God, but we should also keep our eyes open for visitors among us and show them the love of Christ. We are Heaven’s advertisement on earth. Let us represent God properly!
