Think About it…

Open Church – Closed Doors

Acts 12:13 “Peter knocked at the outer entrance and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door, when she recognized Peter’s voice she was so OVERJOYED she ran back without opening it…”

Rhoda was so excited about her visitor that she forgot to allow him to enter the house. I think we are like that sometimes. We are excited about visitors and new members but we forget to let them in.

[We don’t mean any harm we simply forget to include them into our FAMILY.]

Here are some ways we can bring people into our spiritual family at East Brainerd.

1.       After meeting a visitor, ask if you may sit with them.

2.       Introduce visitors and new members to others in your circle of friends.

3.       Invite them, to go to class with you and personally introduce them to the teacher.

4.       The church sends out letters and the staff makes follow-up calls but nothing is as powerful as a member to say we are glad to have you as part of our family.

5.       Remember some people are quick to make friends for others it takes time. So don’t give up.

6.       Be willing to listen.

7.       Talk positively about the “family”.

8.       Invite new comers to eat with you or bring them to our Wednesday night meal.

9.       Be careful to not talk about people and events that a newcomer is not familiar with without explaining it to them.

10.   Pray for and with new members who express fear, doubt, pain, loneliness… let them know you care.

Develop a heart that is inclusive not exclusive. Jesus said “come to me all ye who are weary and burdened.”  Matthew 11:28

We need to say Come to East Brainerd; Come to our class; Come to our small group; Come to our worship; Come to our fellowship; Come, Come, Come.

Become a part of our Family we want you! We need you! We cherish you!

The door is open and the church is open and our hearts are open.

Brother Dave