First impressions mean so much.  That is why when you walk into a nice restaurant your met by an attractive women with a huge smile.  They want your first impression of their establishment to have a positive response on you.  I went to a restaurant that just opened a couple of weeks ago with some of the staff.  We were met at the first set of doors by someone with a smile as they held the door for us.  As we entered the second set of doors there was another person with a smile.  An attractive young lady took us to our table and within seconds our waitress was there greeting us again with a smile.  The service was very good and the food wasn't bad either.

I may be wrong, but I'll bet within the next few months there won't be people at both sets of doors, another greeter, then the hostess and the waitress showing up within seconds.  But what they did was great because I'll always remember my first impression. 

As a church, should we take first impressions this seriously?  No, even more seriously.  Church growth statistics prove people make up their mind if they'll return or not within the first three minutes of their visit.  Seems a little unfair since we put so much effort into making the service an enjoyable experience.  But truth be known, churches need to concentrate on the first three minutes very seriously.

With this being said, I want to begin evaluating our greeters ministry.  Are they doing a bad job?  NO!  In fact people tell me on a regular bases just how friendly our church is and it started in the parking lot.  We have people strgecially placed to help guests and regulars feel welcome.  The question is, can we do better?  That is exactly what I want to look into. 

On Tuesday, August 11th at 7:00 pm I'm asking everyone involved in any type of greeters ministry to meet with me at the church.  I want to hear what you think we can do to better our first impression on others and I'll share some ideas I also.  As we continue to grow we must continue to re-evaluate what we do.

I'd like to also encourage anyone who is not involved in any type of ministry to come and see if this might be something your interested in.  A warm smile and a kind word goes a long way in the life of someone who is hurting. 

By the way, it isn't just my opinion that first impressions matter:

Colossians 4:5-6
[5] Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. [6] Let your conversations always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Do me a favor this Sunday, ask every staff member to quote this verse to you.  I told ALL of them to memorize it, burn it into thieir heart and to try and always live this verse. And if they can't, let me know.  I'll have some fun with it, 

Some random thoughts:
* Getting ready to leave and head up to Camp Marietta and pick up the kids from camp.
* Had an awesome devotional time this morning.  Wanting to spend more and more time in reading and prayer.
* Losing weight isn't going as well as I had hoped.  Begged God this morning for a conviction like I've never had before about this.
* Clint and Cherie are getting married tomorrow evening.  So rewarding to see a young man who recently gave his life to Jesus step into a covenant with the woman God picked out just for him.  Praying for you guys.  By the way, I know this will be a Godly marriage, they are getting married on the campus of Heaven, CLEMSON!
* Playing golf with 11 other guys from the wedding at 7:00 am. Clint must have been told to get one more round in before.  Smart man.
* This Sunday the band will be opening up with some Beatles songs.  Trust me, you don't want to be late.  Going to be a lot of fun.
* Begging God for GOD SIZED things to happen this Sunday.  I believe it is going to happen.