How can our entire community become contributors and volunteers on Sunday morning?
- What would it look like for all of us to be ushers within the area we occupy on Sunday mornings? We know that we are all creatures of habit and tend to sit in the same area of the auditorium week after week. How often do we ask others to sit with us? What would it look like if we really took ownership of the space that we fill each week. How often do we turn around or glance side to side and introduce ourselves or ask the individuals around us how they are doing? Take time this Sunday to own your space.
- How can we let every person know that they belong? Hopefully we are all on the lookout for newcomers in our cafe on Sunday morning, but how often do we just look around and invite the closest individual to join us for a coffee? What would it look like for all of us to be deliberate about learning more about each other? How would this type of inclusion and availability make a difference in the sense of belonging we are all craving in a church community. Take time over coffee to help others belong.
- What if we were on the lookout for others from the time we arrive in the parking lot? The parking lot on Sundays are full of families with children, seniors who may require some assistance or just a friendly walking partner and we have multiple individuals with accessibility needs who may have caregivers that require a little help. What if from the time we arrived we were on the look out to make someone’s walk to the entrance just a little easier. How can we all become parking volunteers? Walk in with someone new this week.
- Our greeters do a wonderful job creating a welcoming environment but there is always room for one more friendly welcome. In the next week or two take a moment and deliberately stop in a specific spot in the hallway or lobby and make a conscious effort to become a greeter for five minutes. Share a smile and a warm hello with everyone that passes. I think you will be amazed at the impact a smile, thoughtful eye contact and just a little unhurried attention will have on someone else’s experience that morning. Feel free to become an anonymous greeter at any time.
- We all find ourselves in conversation with others who have unanswered questions about what is going on at Southridge or how things work. Rather than saying we don’t know or sending them to the welcome centre why don’t we all try walking alongside them to help find the answers they are looking for. That way they feel our availability and warmth and we become that much more informed to respond to the same question next time. Maybe we can all become portable welcome centre volunteers as we do our best to stay up-to-date with Southridge communication. Visiting our website regularly will definitely be a great starting point.
- Our prayer teams are always available to pray with guests after the service but how often do we find ourselves in conversations with others who are struggling and in need of prayer. Let’s be aware of the power of prayer and invite individuals who you are sensing may need prayer to walk with you to one of our prayer volunteers. Maybe even staying with them for support or another voice of prayer or encouraging them that you will continue to pray for them in the week to come. Take time in your prayer life to invest in people.
As we challenge ourselves to a higher degree of ownership for our community we will grow in depth of relationship and in our experience of God here. When we have a full community of ushers, café conversationalists, parking assistants, greeters, and prayers the First Impressions team won’t be necessary. We will be living it out every Sunday.
Imagine that! I hope everyone accepts the challenge and shares their experience to inspire others.
First Impressions Team………A group of people that value attentiveness, availability, approachability, belonging and warmth
