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Dave Richardson--
I met a young man while helping to greet on Sunday. He had visited the building on Old Jacksonville Road for a baptism service years ago, but this was his first time at our new building. He was very outgoing and wanted to know my involvement—probably wondering why I was dressed in all black! He strikes me as the kind of person who might want to become active if he decides Hope is for him.
I also want to share something else. When Gail and I greet on Saturday nights, we usually don’t get into the service until about 5:45. When I walk in and see all of the faces of those I greeted, I can’t help feeling that they are my guests since I welcomed them into the building. I take ownership for that night, and want them to have a great time of worship and hear a message that challenges them. Fortunately, I don’t have to worry about that, because I know that those involved have done everything they can to do it with excellence, and have asked God to be a part of it.
What struck me as I heard Blake a second time Sunday morning is that I have always laid the responsibility for “my guests” on the speaker, worship team, techies, et al.—as if our guests’ experience began upon entering the auditorium. In reality, as Blake said, some of them come to Hope only after a friend has “worn them down.” By the time the guest walks up to the church, the guest’s friend has put trust in everyone—including me as I open the door. In an instant, I can begin the guest’s experience in a positive way, or I can do something in that same instant that will turn off the guest and maybe even set the tone for the rest of the visit.
As guests walk down the hall, I can’t help but picture me passing a baton off to Dan, Renny, or one of the other ushers waiting to welcome them into the auditorium. The ushers then pass it on to Doug, and so on.
I'm not sure why I felt the need to put this into words, other than I appreciated the message and the renewed responsibility I feel as a member of the Greeter Team. It may take a long time and a lot of trust-building for someone to persuade a friend to come to Hope. At that point the baton is handed to us. Not only can we not afford to drop it for the sake of this person’s eternity—but like any good relay runner, we also need to run a strong leg. After hearing the message this weekend, I feel a renewed desire to do that.
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