In His Grip – Dr. Chuck F. Betters

Dear Members and Friends of Glasgow Church: 

Do the words “First Touch” mean anything to you? This is a relatively new term we have deployed across all three of our campuses. Here is what is involved in “First Touch.”  Whenever guests make their way into our church the statistics show that within the first ten minutes of their stay among us, they decide whether or not they will return for a second visit. The “First Touch” team is comprised of the people who help to direct that decision.

It starts with the people who direct traffic. Are they friendly? Do they smile? Are they attentive to the needs of the elderly, the mom who has her hands full with diaper bags and babies, the handicapped, the rain-soaked, etc.?  Next are the greeters who welcome them, the ushers who direct them, the nursery workers who check-in their little ones and the information consultants. Finally, there are the people who welcome them to their row. Is the seat saved? Is there eye contact? Do they feel welcomed by the person they must sit next to or are they receiving the distinct message that they are bothersome to your comfort zone?

These and a whole variety of other questions and solutions are being addressed by our “First Touch” team under the leadership of Sharon Betters. Soon you will see wholesale changes in the way these matters are addressed in the narthex. Plans are maturing for the sanctuary renovations that will include some exciting changes in the way the narthex looks.  In the fall, some temporary measures will be taken to direct the flow of traffic and information as we await those renovations. Some of those changes will involve new high tech systems. But there is no system that can replace true “Agape” love, that is, the love of Christ that flows through you. We are to be people who are hospitable to the stranger among us. “First Touch” is merely designed to make that process easier for all of us.

This coming Wednesday evening, from 6:30-8:30, all of the “First Touch” team will convene for a meeting with Sharon in order to outline how these changes will be implemented. We need more people to work as parking lot attendants, ushers (yes, we could really use women usherettes), greeters, security and much more. If this is something you would like to become a part of, send Sharon an email at sharbett@aol.com and tell her you would like to explore this further.  

In His Grip,
PB