IMPRESSING VISITORS Frequently, we have visitors in our  services.  We (individually and collectively) make an impression upon them.  That impression is either a good one or a bad one.  In fact if it is not a good impression, it is a bad one.  There is no such thing as a     neutral impression.  Most visitors will have an opportunity to return.   What kind of  impression do we make on them. The first impression they have of us is when they arrive and enter our building.  Do they see that the building is clean and well kept both inside and out?  If you see a piece of paper or trash on the ground or on the floor, do you pick it up?  Are you      willing to help keep our building and grounds clean, or do you expect “someone else” to do it?  How a congregation treats its buildings and grounds is usually a reflection of how they view the church.   How many people notice them and make a point to greet them makes another         impression.  Everyone should greet our   visitors; but if you are assigned as a Greeter on a particular Sunday, do you fulfill your assignment and serve cheerfully?  Does     anyone offer help to find the proper classes or the other facilities?  Do we invite them to sit with us during the class period or worship services? When the singing starts, is it slow and dragging with very little volume with many members not singing at all? — Or is it a joyful outpouring from hearts filled with gratitude and love for God who has blessed us so richly? Do they see people who are alert and interested in what is being said and done, or do they see those who are sleepy,            inattentive, and day-dreaming?  Are they distracted by whispering, giggling, writing of notes, and other distracting activity? Do they see people dressed as casually as if they were at a ballgame or some sporting function?  Is the “flesh on parade” as they see the short skirts and plunging necklines that are so characteristic of the world today? Do they see people dragging in late?  Do they see a constant stream of people getting up to go to the water fountain or the restroom?  Do they see a mad dash for the door and a quick emptying of the building as soon as the final “amen” is said to the dismissal prayer? Nowhere is it more apparent that we should let our light so shine before men that others may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven then when we are in the worship services of the church.   What do visitors see?  More importantly, what does God, before whom our worship is offered, see?  Think about it! By Richard Guill from bulletin of Main Street Church of Christ, Milan Tennessee FOUR RULES OF FRIENDLINESS The 30-Second Rule:  Most guests will make a judgment about us  during the first 30 seconds after they enter.  Greet people at the doors with a     handshake and a smile.   The Front Door Rule:  Many people need help to find their classes.  If they find it difficult to locate a class, they may choose not to return. The Ten-Foot Rule:  Greet any person with whom you are not familiar who comes within ten feet of you.   Make eye contact and be friendly. The Five-Minute rule:  Take the first five minutes after the assembly to seek out guests and greet them.   Thank them for coming and encourage them to return. Beyond these, it is important for us to be sure that no visitors sit alone.  If we just greet our visitors and then make a point of visiting with them after the  assembly, yet we let them sit alone, we are not making the kind of first       impression that we really want.   Let’s make a point of   inviting our visitors to sit with us.  If they are invited by several people, that is even better. It is not as much a part of our time today as it used to be; but one of the best ways to build good first impressions is to invite a visitor over for lunch.  This says in incredible ways that friendliness is not just something we do at the building … it is who we are. Why so much attention to visitors?  Several reasons.  How you respond to   visitors could cause one who is not a Christian to want to have what we have.  If our visitors are Christians new to our area, we want them to be a part of our St. Andrews Road family.   Try to be more friendly.  Practice the above rules.  You not only will be an   encouragement to St. Andrews Road, but more importantly, you will show the love that Jesus taught us and honor our Father in Heaven.