By Jason Allison
This is part 6 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.
Parallel #1: I felt like I was walking on eggshells.
Parallel #2: Stranger Danger!
Parallel #3: The Regulars
Parallel #4: Here’s Your Sign
Parallel #5: Risky Business
Participating in the activities required risk, but I needed clarification about what the risk was and how to navigate it.
Walking up to a Blackjack table, I knew there was an expectation that I would wager money on the outcome of the game. Every activity in the casino carried a level of risk. I expected that. What pushed me to keep my money in my pockets was the need for more clarity on how to engage the games and the level of risk required for each game. I had yet to learn how to join a game, how to place a bet, what the minimum bet was, or what the cultural norm for tipping the dealer was. And I had no one giving me any help in understanding.
It felt like you had to be a pro before you ever sat down at a table.
Many churches inadvertently (I hope) give the impression that you should already understand what is happening when you walk in. You should already know the dress code, when to talk, where to stand, where to get coffee, where to drink the coffee (and where it is prohibited), and what is expected of you financially to participate in the activities.
By not mentioning the offering or talking about giving, you are actually making guests feel more like outsiders. The regulars know how to give and what the expectations are, but the guest is feeling increasingly awkward because they have no idea what the cultural norms are in your church.
I was anxious about games that might cost a few dollars. At church, we talk about eternity. The stakes are much higher. We need to make it clear to people what is happening and how they can easily participate in what we do. We must recognize that we are asking people to take a pretty big risk by engaging in their spiritual journey. We need some clear, concise, and simple first steps for people to explore God and get used to the “game” we are playing. This “game” is more than cards; it is a new way of living in God’s Kingdom. How can people ease into understanding what is at stake at your church?
Up next…Parallel #6 between your church & a casino: Where Do I Start?
