DRAWING OUTSIDERS INSIDE
Don Cousins
July 1, 1989
If you visit Willow Creek Community Church, don't be surprised if no one asks your name. You won't be given a name tag, and you won't be asked to stand or raise your hand as a new person. No one will even give you a form to fill out for a follow-up contact.
Don't we care about visitors? Of course we do. Don't we want them to come back? Sure! In fact, it's because we want them to return that we try not to pressure them on their first visit.
Let me explain with a personal example. I grew up in a nondenominational church. When I went away to college, I visited churches of various denominations. I soon learned that my home church was similar to most Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and other denominational churches. Even as a visitor, I knew pretty much what to expect-how I should dress, what information would be in the bulletins, and how to respond to the greeters. I fit right in.
Then a friend invited me to a Catholic mass-a first for me. I felt anxious about attending, and the reasons soon bore themselves out. As the service unfolded, people were standing up, sitting down, and singing (much like in other churches I had attended), but this time I was completely lost. At one point, the priest came down the aisle, waving what looked to me like a large salt shaker. As he swung it in my direction, three or four drops of water hit my face. I had no idea what was happening.
Of course, all of this was perfectly normal for my Catholic friend. But to me, it was not normal. What was expected of me? Was I doing anything improper? My insecurity multiplied when I couldn't anticipate or understand the order of events.
I'd been a comfortable visitor at the other churches. At this service, I was an outsider.
That distinction makes a huge difference ...
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