The Last Come First
Throughout the week the five pastors of First Baptist Church, Monroe, Louisiana, enjoy reserved parking spaces close to an entrance. But on Sundays, they take their chances with the rest of the 800 worshipers in order to give visitors a break. Portable signs that say "Reserved for visitors" are rolled out to hold the five pastoral spots and five others for late-arriving newcomers. "We're a downtown church," explains Jerry Squyres, minister of education, "and parking is limited. It's been our experience that most visitors arrive just in time for church or perhaps even a little late. If they have to search very long for a parking place, they enter the service even later; this causes embarrassment—and a reluctance to return." But thanks to the signs, visitors can park right beside the covered walk that leads to the educational building. They know even before they step inside that the church has thought about their needs.
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