When a Man Walks In
The following was passed on by a Salvationist.
I was travelling around, a maleby myself – three consecutiveSundays at three different corps in one division. An interesting experience.
The first Sunday, I went with friends, so I was introduced to a number of people, which was good. After the service I want looking for the Captain – she had attended Sunday School at our corps many years ago and had not recognised me. But she was nowhere to be seen. It turned out she and her husband had another engagement and had left hurriedly. I guess that happens.
The next Sunday, I was staying in a tourist area and drove to the local corps. Arrived on time, was given a newsletter, then went and found a seat.
No one came to welcome me. After the meeting, I went and said hello to a few people I had known over the years, but no one came up to me. Someone said we have morning tea out the back. But no one showed me where it was. No Corps Officer came to welcome me. So I left to have lunch by myself in a local shopping mall.
The third Sunday, I flew into the city early in the morning and spent some time having breakfast in the centre of the CBD. To my interest, I heard a band playing – of course I finished my meal and went to the presentation area where the local corps had an outreach.
The band played, a soloist sang, there were introduction to the items, but obviously due to council regulations there was limited speaking.
The presentation was very good. There were a number of uniformed Salvationists standing around talking to people – mainly other Salvationists. No one approached me although I stood listening for the best part of 30 minutes. Yes, I was wearing a casual shirt and jeans. But I had showered that morning!
I heard the invitation to come along to the meeting, so I walked there. When I entered, I was welcomed and given a newsletter – thought it might be easier to leave my backpack somewhere outside but was advised it was safer to take it with me. Then it was up to me to find a seat. The gentleman next to me introduced himself and we spoke – he was from a corps a few hundred kilometres away.
Near the front was a former corps officer, now no longer a humble captain. I went up to him and we spoke briefly, then it was back to my chosen seat.
After the meeting, again no one approached me, so I left – this time the Corps Officer was at the door. I knew who he was, so I introduced myself – “Ah, I thought I recognised you. Nice to have you here. Bye.” And it was off by myself to have lunch somewhere.
Although this is not a parable, what can we learn from the experience?
- The Army needs more men – but would this visitor return to these corps – no way!
- Have at least one man on the door to greet other men, especially men by themselves.
- If possible, find a seat for the visitor next to someone – preferably male.
- Have people in the corps prepared to talk with visitors – even ask people to go and welcome then.
- Don’t just say there is a morning tea – they don’t know your layout. Take them.
- Talk to visitors, show a genuine interest in them.
- Think of the reaction if he wasn’t a Salvationist.
- And don’t think your corps is too different from these three – unless you work at it!