I took my mother and father in-law to my place of work the other day and it was the most encouraging event so far in our effort to get them to think and consider the idea of Christ and the Church.
My father-in-law (atheist) and mother-in-law (very active Buddhist) were awestruck as I showed them late last night all the environments of Buckhead Church, from the parking lot to the escalators, to all the creative environments for each age-group.
When I walked them into the balcony level of the main auditorium there were audible gasps; they had never seen anything like it. The last time they stepped foot in a church was a small baptist church in Augusta, Georgia more than 4 years ago for our wedding ceremony; I think that auditorium sat 200…? They were now looking at 2,000+.
But the neatest thing was her comment immediately following:
Where are all the crosses?
I smiled. It was the proudest moment of our small tour.
My wife explained to them how, at Buckhead Church, we wanted to be a bit different in terms of how we presented ourselves to those that would walk through our doors; we try to make our visitors feel as welcomed as possible and not feel like “church” as it’s typically understood.
She nodded with approval.
We continued to show them the building and landed last in the area called “Starting Point” where we engage with our new visitors who are interested in learning more about our church and faith and community. I explained this and my father-in-law chuckled:
Ah, so this is where they have to listen to the “sales pitch” right? Where you bring your “sales” team?
I laughed. His perception was legitimate since that’s all he’s been exposed to: Christianity pitched and sold to potential clients and customers who would then, after their “membership” was accepted with completed application, be able to use the services, resources, and facilities of the building and the faith.
But that’s fine. We’re working on that.
Thanks God for the opportunity last night to show them what I do, where I do it, and to share with them a little bit more of Your heart for them. Please continue to work in their hearts as they grapple with the mysteries of your majesty and the amazing offering of love.
I love what I do and where I do it. Thanks Buckhead Church.
Love reading things like this.
very cool.
ditto. I love when well thought through church strategy works. I totally pictured used car sales tactics when I read your Father-I-L's question… too funny. Sad that this is the impression people get, but funny image nonetheless.
As a Starting Point leader at our church, and a former Atheist myself, I gotta say… I got a good chuckle out of your father-in-law's reaction to Starting Point. He sounds like a smart guy.
peace | dewde
FWIW- I'm jealous you get to work there. Buckhead is an amazing facility, and Andy isn't too bad either
yeah, andy's cool.
Very futuristic. Very modern. So…is that where you bring your sales teams?? LOL
Very modern indeed… but what's wrong with the cross?
nothing wrong with the cross.
John, that's Awesome. John, keep prayin for them. My Father just got saved during Easter service this year (76 years old) loves working out and has been evangelizing at the Fit Club since. I know God can and will place in their heart a desire for change. My family wishes we would've stopped in your facility when we were in Atlanta but had a good time at another mega church in the area.
Thanks man! that's encouraging to hear… we're still praying.
All the Churches I've been too (particularly here in ND) are very open to everybody. Nobody has been too concerned with who is or isn't a member. The only time membership really comes into play is as a requirement for leadership positions.
but isn't marketing to new people in a new and trendy no crosses to scare them off way STILL marketing, just not the old school fire and peer pressure way and if someone doesn't agree with the tenets of the doctrine isn't it a bit well sneaky to try to slide them into the community by camouflaging it with modern , trendy architecture and age specific activities…. kfc is re branding but that doesn't mean they don't sell chicken, they are offering it a different way but it's still the same chicken… (not to compare christ to chicken but well the metaphor is sound no disrespect intended)