Each service clearly communicated the same Tier One messages. My visit to The Woodlands UMC changed me, and I'm grateful.

As I sat in the sunlit sanctuary on Sunday morning, my heart was overcome with gratitude and hope. After 48 hours in Texas and attending four different worship services, I had a renewed sense of purpose and energy about how God works through the local church. Every space I stepped into, every message I absorbed, every song I heard and every person I encountered was intentional and sincere. This church is doing something right, I thought.

Just one week prior, Fishhook had received a call from The Woodlands United Methodist Church in The Woodlands, Texas (just north of Houston). They were ready to partner with us to create a unique user experience online for their guest kiosk touch screens. I flew to Texas the next week to meet with their creative team to get started on the project as well as to walk in the shoes of a first-time guest, experiencing what it was like in all four of their on-campus venues - Saturday night modern (The Loft) and Sunday morning traditional (Chapel and Sanctuary) and contemporary (Harvest) services. Consistently, my heart was encouraged through the teaching, the music and the people.

Although each service was approached in a different manner with a different pastor, each clearly communicated the same Tier One messages. Whether it was in the bulletin, online, Facebook, on screen or spoken, I knew what the most important messages were that day. And each time I physically heard the messaging, whoever was presenting it did so with enthusiasm, believability and encouragement! It neither felt scripted or like the person delivering the message didn’t care or want to be involved. The Woodlands UMC has 11,000 members spread across 12 different service times, and they are able to focus their messaging. That is intentional and strategic!

Pretty much every church I’ve ever worked with has described themselves as friendly. Some are, and some sadly aren’t. But, there was something different about The Woodlands UMC. Their friendliness was genuine. Some may call it “southern hospitality” or “friendly church folk,” but whatever it was, I felt it oozing from this congregation. In each venue, I was warmly greeted at the front door to the building, the door to the venue, inside the venue and all around me. Each person I interacted with, from the janitor, pastors and staff to the members and cashier at the bookstore, was seriously glad to see me. And, none of them knew I was with Fishhook!

Specifically at the 11 a.m. service in the sanctuary, soon after I took my seat, an elderly woman came up next to me in her wheelchair and introduced herself. We talked for a bit, and soon, her daughter joined us. By the time the service was over, they had made me feel loved and welcomed and even invited me to lunch with them. And, I went! We had a great time over lunch, and I left with two new friends in Texas. 

My visit to The Woodlands UMC changed me. First, I will use them as an encouragement to a church who is struggling with messaging. If a church of 11,000 can do it strategically, you can too, and we’ll show you how! Second, I am personally bringing some of that friendliness home. I can so often go through the motions of attending church on Sunday and disengage from those around me. But when I do, I rob myself of the opportunity to make a difference. That stranger could be sitting next to me for a much bigger reason than I can see in the moment. But if I don’t even introduce myself, how will I ever find out?

So thank you Scott, Shawn, Mike, John, Ellen, Carol and other people whose name I can’t remember for making me feel loved in your church home! You made this introvert feel welcomed, not overwhelmed!

Want to step into the shoes of a first-time guest? Click below to download our roadmap to help you go undercover and conduct a secret worship at your own church. 

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