By Jason Allison

This is part 2 of my Casino & Churches series. We are looking at some of the parallels between my first-time experience at a Casino and the experience first-time guests at your church have.  Here is parallel number 1:

Parallel #1: I felt like I was walking on eggshells.

This was a new experience in a new place where everyone else there felt very comfortable and at home. 

I have friends who have been to casinos. I have seen television shows and movies about casinos. I have driven by casinos and have seen lots of advertisements for them. But walking into the casino was a new experience and was more than a little intimidating. 

Every person who walks into your church for the first time has already overcome a huge barrier. They are still nervous and hesitant and wondering what will happen next. They feel out of place and like everyone is staring at them (even if people are not!). Everyone else there seems like they already know what is going on and what to do next. The first-time guest does not.

Having “greeters” is nice but not nearly as helpful as we think.  A first-time guest needs a friendly person to ask how they might help them navigate the experience. Someone who simply comes up to the guest and introduces themselves, and then offers to show them around and answer any questions will do much more than an extroverted greeter trying to shake hands and say “hi” to every person walking in. 

Train your people to be sensitive to the guest. Do not draw attention to your guests or make them stand out. Simply teach your people to have an open posture, sensitive to someone who might be feeling awkward or hesitant. Then do more than be “friendly”; be warm and welcoming. Walk with the guest through the morning and offer to meet them again next week in the lobby.

Up next…Parallel #2 between your church & a casino: Stranger Danger