Minister's Letter - April 2008
Dear Friends,
This is it...a guest walks into the church building. The guest has taken the first step - a giant step. They have overcome every barrier that has kept them away; fear, intimidation, social inertia, weekend distractions, preconceived notions and a million other reasons that have kept them away until now.
Now, this moment and this moment only, we have the chance to make a first impression that will forever leave its mark as to this persons opinion of church, and maybe even the Christian faith in general.
Is it cold, dingy and messy with half-hearted greetings - and feeling more like a mortuary rather than a lively, welcoming and happening place?
It is said that the first sixty seconds in a church building is all the time we have to get that all important welcome, and hospitality just so. Now we know why the shops and service industry put so much time and investment in getting it right.
What of us at Central Baptist, are we putting people off, or does the sincerity and warmth of our welcome indicate to all - the loving, acceptance of the wonderful God and Saviour we serve?
By the way, we refer to those who come for the first time not as visitors but as guests. The point is, visitors go but guests return again and again!
In Christ,
Christopher White
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