Treating Visitors Well (Bulletin Article for February 5)

[NOTE: This article was written with young people in mind, but the principles can be applied to any age.]

At every worship service, we are blessed to have visitors. Some are visiting family and have come from many miles away. Others are visiting from our town or area. We have been blessed by some young people lately who have visited several times. Some have even come to youth devotionals and other events. We are happy that visitors decide to worship with us. But, how should we treat visitors?

First, be friendly, but not fake. In other words, we need to be ourselves. We are not trying to win a popularity contest, we are trying to win souls. Young people, I know how friendly you can be. Our visitors need to see that in you. But, you don’t need to be somebody you are not. If you’re not comfortable shaking hands or giving hugs, then send a card or email thanking that young person for coming. Be friendly in your own special way.

Second, be serious, but don’t “scare away.” We need to focus on bringing our visitors to a knowledge of the truth, but we need to do so in a loving way. If we get a chance to study with him or her, we don’t need to turn the study into an argument or an interrogation. If our visitor asks about why we do (or don’t do) a certain thing, we need to avoid rash answers like: “Because that’s what the Bible says” or, “That’s the right way.” Those answers may be correct, but there are kinder ways of putting them. Also, as in everything else, we need to point our guests to the actual verses and passages in the Bible that teach these truths! Our opinion is no better than theirs. The Bible is the answer.

Third, be thankful. Never take visitors for granted. Even if our guests come several times, we need to continue to say things like “I’m glad you decided to come” or, “Thanks for choosing to come to this devo.” Each time he or she comes it was a decision be there ahead of being somewhere else. We should show our gratitude and recognize that decision.

Finally, be focused on how you act! If you treat worship lightly, so will the visitor. If you treat the devo as important, so will he or she. Even if he or she is religious, the visitor is still looking to you so see how important “church” is to you! Remember, visitors are searching for something.

Hopefully, these simple suggestions will help more young people decide to visit and be impressed with the truth of the Gospel.