Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Coming Soon!

Whether we are in a theater or watching movies in the comfort of our living room on a DVD, we are almost certain to be bombarded with previews of coming attractions.  These short clips of movies that will be "Coming soon to a theater near you!" always show just enough of the movie to pique our interest without giving away the entire plot of the movie. The Christmas holidays is the time when the movie industry traditionally introduces what they hope will be the biggest hits of the year.

For us, as Christians, the phrase "Coming Soon" has a much greater significance.  We are looking forward to Christ's return!  Jesus told us that he would come again, but he didn't tell us everything.  He just told us enough so that we would know that it would be a glorious event that we wouldn't want to miss.  Neither did Jesus tell us exactly when he would be coming.  In fact, he said, "No one knows the day or the hour, not even the angels in heaven. Only the Father knows."

So, we are looking forward to his return, but if we don't know when it is going to happen.  What should we do?  Well, just like the movie previews  say, "Coming Soon to a theater near you" without saying exactly when, we have to be watching so that we will be ready when the movie comes to town. In fact, that is exactly what Jesus told us. "Be ready, because you have no idea when the Son of Man is going to show up."

What should we be doing to make sure we are ready for Jesus when he returns? We should be doing the things that Jesus wants us to be doing -- loving one another, caring for the sick, feeding the hungry, and helping the poor. If we are doing those things, we will be ready when he comes.  I hope he's "Coming Soon!"

Monday, November 12, 2012

Satisfaction Survey

I recently had to go to the Department of Public Safety to renew my driver's license.  When I received my new license in the mail, there was a card enclosed which requested that I go online and submit a customer satisfaction survey.  "Please use the link below to help us create a faster, easier friendlier driver license experience" the card said. This experience caused me to stop and think about the experience people have when they visit our church. Perhaps our "visitor cards" should include a brief customer satisfaction survey with statements to which the visitor could provide feedback about their experience.  Imagine that you are a first-time visitor at your church and complete the following survey.

Our church wants to provide an atmosphere in which all worshipers will feel welcome, have a meaningful  encounter with God, and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.  You can help us to know how well we are meeting our goal by completing the following survey.

When I arrived, I was greeted warmly and made to feel welcome.

STRONGLY AGREE     AGREE     DISAGREE     STRONGLY DISAGREE

The Sunday School class I attended provided meaningful Bible study.

STRONGLY AGREE     AGREE     DISAGREE     STRONGLY DISAGREE

The worship service led me straight to the throne of God.

STRONGLY AGREE     AGREE     DISAGREE     STRONGLY DISAGREE

The music in the worship service provided a good mixture of styles.

STRONGLY AGREE     AGREE     DISAGREE     STRONGLY DISAGREE

The pastor's message was Biblical and inspiring.

STRONGLY AGREE     AGREE     DISAGREE     STRONGLY DISAGREE

I found what I was looking for at your church.

STRONGLY AGREE     AGREE     DISAGREE     STRONGLY DISAGREE

I will definitely attend your church again.

STRONGLY AGREE     AGREE     DISAGREE     STRONGLY DISAGREE

I would definitely recommend your church to my friends.

STRONGLY AGREE     AGREE     DISAGREE     STRONGLY DISAGREE

How well would your church do in this survey?  If the answer is, "Not as well as it should." The question to ask yourself is, "What can I do to make it better?"

After writing this post, I found an interesting article by Thom S. Ranier entitled "Eight Terrible Church Visits" which tells about experiences of "mystery guests" who were paid to attend churches and then write a review of their experiences.  You might find it interesting reading. 

Saturday, November 03, 2012

Things I'm Thankful For

November is the month when we stop to give thanks for all of our blessings.  On Facebook, Twitter, and blogs , I see that many people are observing "Thirty Days of Giving Thanks." Each day during the month, they post one thing for which they are thankful.  What a great way to observe the season.

When I was teaching school, I taught the children a song entitled "Things I'm Thankful For." As we sang the song, I walked around the room with a hand-held microphone.  It wasn't connected to anything, but that didn't matter.  When we came to the refrain, we sang, "I'm thankful for..." and I held the microphone up to one of the children who would name something for which they were thankful.  I don't know about the children, but I loved it!  I was always touched by the way the children responded, naming so many things that we often take for granted!  That song always comes to my mind whenever someone asks, "What are you thankful for?" 

There are many things I am thankful for,
I can find them near and far.
There are many things I am thankful for,
Let me tell you what they are.

I'm thankful for...

    Each new day,
    for time to work and time to play
   
I'm thankful for....

     Our daily bread. a nice warm bed
    and a roof overhead

I'm thankful for...

    Family and friends who through the years
    have stood beside me in laughter and tears

I'm thankful for...

    Pastors and teachers in church and school
    Who teach us to live by God's golden rule

I'm thankful for...

    The sunshine and I'll be thankful for the rain
    whenever God chooses to send it again

I'm thankful for...

    Freedom to worship and freedom to pray
    and for those who serve to keep it that way

I'm thankful for...

    So many things today
    But most of all, I'd have to say
   
I'm thankful for...

    God, the Father, and for Jesus his son
    for it is through him that the vict'ry is won

No matter how you do it, make every day this month one when you "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."
Psalm 100:4