Whenever I’ve started a job, I’ve generally had a “buddy” come alongside me to show me the ropes. Your buddy will generally introduce you to the people with whom you will be working, the people to whom you will report, and other people in your department whom you may need to ask for help. Buddies generally show you where everything important is located, such as the copy room, the break room, and the rest room. When I’ve worked in secured environments and my badge security wasn’t set up yet, I depended on my buddy to help me get from building to building. There were times where I couldn’t get into the the building where I worked or even to the cafeteria without my buddy.
The same thing should happen when you start in a fresh church setting. At a church that my wife’s family in Chicago attends, they have their own coffeehouse, and when you fill out a card that states you’re a visitor, they ask you to take it there to get a free cup of coffee–this isn’t some gas station cappuccino either, those people are running a mini-Starbucks in there.
My church has a specific hospitality ministry that has greeters at the front doors to make guests feel welcome, direct them to childcare (if necessary), and invite them for a cup of coffee in the parlor. Our coffee is much more low-tech than the mini-Starbucks, but still, the point is to make guests feel welcome.
Now, I’ve never personally witnessed an example such as the one in this story, but it is important to note the “fish out of water” context.
A new believer recently attended our worship service. He had long, multicolored, spiked hair. He dressed in dark clothes and had multiple piercings and tattoos. Some gaped; others just gave him that “It’s good to see you in church, but please don’t sit next to me” smile.
