What’s it like for you to walk into a new place?
If you watch any tv show or movie about high school, you have seen this scene. The main character walks into the cafeteria looking for a place to sit. They scan the room for a person to give them eye contact while all the heads look down at their food or talking to other people. Can you relate to that moment hanging in the balance to find a person willing to invite you to sit with them?
This weekend all across the world, people will attend church. They will come with a host of questions about Jesus, faith, and their spiritual journey. The moment they cross the threshold of an auditorium or sanctuary, one question will supersede all others, “Where will I sit?”
The high school cafeteria moment will meet the Sunday morning service this weekend.
What if you could make a significant difference in someone’s life on Sunday? Just this week, I met with a leader from Browncroft. She shared with me the story of how she got connected to the church. Here’s what she said:
Jan noticed that my family was new to the church. She introduced herself in the parking lot. Then she walked us into the church building. On top of that, she invited my family to sit with her.
One of the most significant differences you can make this Sunday — When you see someone sitting alone, invite them to sit with you.
Imagine if people walked into a church with all that’s on their mind were met with a warm and welcoming person. What if that person was you? At that moment, the simple expression of the Gospel is putting yourself in the shoes of someone new and helping them know they are not alone.
How will you make a difference this Sunday at church? Start by inviting someone to sit next to you.
Photo by Mervyn Chan