Do you remember the last church you visited that wasn’t your home church? You pulled into the parking lot and were already impressed. The landscaping was tidy and the building was nice, but neither of these things was remarkable. Inside you were greeted and you found your way to the sanctuary. Perhaps the service spoke to your heart or maybe it didn’t, but you still left with a feeling that there was something right about that particular church. What made that impression?
A number of intangibles can affect how a person feels during a visit to a church. This can range from the friendliness of the members, to how the person was feeling that day, to the small details of the upkeep of the church. Although these things are sometimes hard to identify, they can make a large difference to regular members and visitors alike.
Is the space clean? Are all the lights working and in good order? Is the signage easy to read and up-to-date? Do the carpets have wrinkles or tears? These are indicators that someone is looking out for the safety of the location and those who come there.
When my father was teaching me to do a task, he used to tell me a principle that I should always keep in mind. His words of wisdom were that no matter what we are asked to do we should do it diligently and to complete is with the best job possible. He told me that I should consider each task as if it was from God and my effort and completion of the task as a ministry. There is no job for God that does not deserve our best effort.
If we apply this principle to the ministry of the safety officer, we may not see a direct result, such as an evangelist giving an altar call or a Bible worker giving Bible studies. At times, the safety officer may wonder if anyone notices the regular performance of work. After all, the best result for an effective safety officer is when an accident doesn’t happen!
Consider another church visit. This one does not leave a positive impression. There is grass growing in the parking lot cracks. The bushes surrounding the church are overgrown, and the inside is equally disorganized. The exit lights are dated, and some do not have lights in them. Extension cords are stretched across walkways, and the hallway also serves as a storage area. You’ve been to that church, too.
What is wrong at this church? This church needs an individual to step up and care for the intangible details. Someone needs to care.
If you know of someone who serves your church in unseen ways, please take a moment to thank them. Maybe that person is you! If so, thank you! Your work does much more than maintain a tidy atmosphere. It keeps people safe and makes them feel secure. Your faithfulness to your responsibilities helps others benefit from the various ministries at your church.
