It’s a hot summer day. You’re at an amusement park with family and friends! You’re excited! Ready for fun!
What basic concerns might you have for your day of adventure? Staying cool, hydrated and minimizing sun exposure, right?
Have you ever visited Holiday World/Splashin’ Safari in southern Indiana? My family visited this park for the first time this past Saturday. Wow! I saw marketing genius and memorable hospitality in action!
FREE drinks! FREE sunscreen! ALL day - EVERY day at this amusement/water park.
They thought of me. They envisioned my family. They thought of several concerns or needs we would have during our day at their park, and then addressed those needs in a generous way. This hospitality impacted us. And, it freed us up as a family to have more fun, more enjoyment, and more appreciation for their park!
Do we treat our guests at our churches the same way? Consider ...
Reality? It's very challenging to understand our guests’ feelings and needs. It's much easier to be focused on our own feelings, needs and perspectives at our own busy churches.
It takes creativity and intentionality to know something more or something deeper about our guests and others in the community.
In fact, I think we have to find ways to connect with or even walk in their shoes to understand them better!
When was the last time you spent time with - and really got to know - someone without a church home in your community or a recent guest to your church? What are their challenges in every day life? What keeps them up at night? What makes them smile?
When was the last time you visited a church – of a completely different denomination/tradition – where you knew no one? What did you feel? What did you need? Cold drinks? Sunscreen? Probably not! But, it's an important approach to consider!
By the way, think this blogpost is directed only at churches? At Fishhook, we’re working through similar questions as well! What do our clients feel and need as they interact with us? What can we offer, do and say to support them in the most God-honoring way?
What do you think? How is your church like Holiday World (or not)?
Or, what feedback might you have for Fishhook? We want to keep growing in this area too!
Thanks, in advance, for your input!