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“Why Details Matter”
Details matter when it comes to church and faith. Sometimes the smallest detail can become the biggest obstacle to someone giving it a try.
Church regulars will sometimes say things like, “We can’t please everyone,” or “It’s okay,” when referring to running out of coffee on a Sunday morning. The same mindset can apply when we run out of bulletins or even toilet paper.
Those responses miss the point. In churches like the Chapel, we strive to offer a welcoming experience and details are a big part of that. We try to prepare well, but we are not perfect. Still, those small details matter more than we might think.
Coffee is hospitality. Bulletins provide direction. Toilet paper… well, that might be the most important of all.
We may not think it’s a big deal if we run out of something, but a visitor may see it differently. If there are no bulletins, they may wonder if they were overlooked. If the coffee is gone, they may assume we were not expecting them. And if the restroom is not properly stocked… that is a memorable experience for all the wrong reasons.
It may sound funny, but the result is not. Visitors may not come back. They may think that God isn’t worth the effort.
There are other small details that matter just as much. Being ignored at the door. Sitting alone without a greeting. Not knowing where to go or what to do, especially during worship, meals, activities, and other churchy things. These moments can quietly communicate that someone does not belong.
Those of us who are familiar with the Chapel may assume everyone knows how things work. They do not. So here is a simple rule: If you see someone you do not know, smile. Introduce yourself. Offer help.
Those three small actions can make a lasting difference, because details matter, especially when it comes to welcoming new friends. It’s not just our ushers and greeters who are responsible for this; it’s all of us!
And yes…There is one place where being ignored is perfectly acceptable. The restroom stall.
See you at The Chapel,
Brock
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