It has been said:  “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Jeff Wilson at a Baptist church in Edmond, OK announced today how their congregation is preparing for H1N1.

Efforts like this at HHBC are great reminders:

• THINK LIKE A FIRST-TIME VISITOR:  you may be fully comfortable inside the walls of your church, but visitors are not so enamored with the color of your pews or the paintings of the apostles on your walls.  They want to know that they will be safe, protected and not walk out of your facility with a free set of baptismal tracks as well as a communicable disease,
• TAKE CARE OF THE SMALL DETAILS:  realize that visitors are often much more attune to your faults – or impressed by your attention to detail – than are your charter members who have come to expect such care (and overlook your lack of attention).  Before trying to give them the big picture, first try demonstrating your concern about the little things that may matter more to them right now,
• YOU CAN WOW THEM BY DOING THIS:  authentically concerning yourself with what THEY are concerned with is potentially the “WOW!” factor that opens their minds to really believing the “until they know how much you care” mantra.  When they see that you care for their felt needs, they are often more open to their true need for God’s Word.  Who knew hand sanitizer could open doors?

Other ideas:

• Shoot a 5-minute video showing first-time parents that when they come into your building, that SECURITY is a high-priority – show them in advance how you use a state-of-the-art child check-in system, or whatever procedure you use that ensures a newbie that their children will be safe with you (remember, you are complete strangers to them),
• A simple diagram (or short video) helps navigate newcomers on where to park – particularly pointing out parking for folks who might need or appreciate special accommodations (handicap, elderly, single parents with multiple kids, pregnant mothers, etc…)
• If your children’s program has met certain safety certifications or there is someone on staff with special training, showcase that so that potential visitors can feel comfortable in the quality of care you offer their children,
• Even if you don’t offer a complete bi-lingual service, indicate somewhere on your website if a translator or interpreter is available (whether it’s Spanish, Mandarin Chinese or ASL)
• . . . and hundreds of other ideas!

Do they know how much you care?