What I learned about the church while vacationing in Orlando – Part 1

My family and I just got back a week ago from vacationing in Orlando, FL. This is the city where I officially started ministry right out of Bible College. This was our first time back since leaving over ten years ago. It was truly a treat to see how God has blessed the church we served in as well as catch up with great friends that were made during our time there.

We did several things during our week in Orlando but something really stood out to me after visiting Universal Studio’s Islands of Adventure (my personal favorite park in town) and Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in successive days. Everyone in my family (wife, 12 year old son, 8 year old daughter, 6 year old son, and I) greatly enjoyed both places. It really was the trip of a lifetime. Yes they are expensive but the memories made will last a lifetime.

I will try to explain the difference between the two parks in a single sentence. We left Island’s of Adventure feeling like we had just experienced a great theme park and we left Magic Kingdom truly feeling like it was a magical experience. What was the difference? I think it can be summed up in one word … intentionality. This is something very important that the church needs to understand.

When you pull into Universal Studios you are immediately taken to a large parking garage. After parking you have to walk through the garage to what is basically their center hub known as City Walk. Yes, you get to see the spinning Universal Globe and there are some great restaurants along the way but the feel is very similar to walking through any number of downtowns with chain restaurants, movie theaters and putt putt. Don’t’ get me wrong, it is very nice, but nothing it is not a wow factor.

As you pull into Disney’s enormous parking lot you immediately encounter an escort that will take you to either the iconic monorail or a Mark Twain-esque paddleboat. Either route you choose you load up with a bit of anticipation. Everyone was watching as we turned the bend to catch their first glimpse of Cinderella’s Castle. As we unloaded and made our way to the turnstiles to officially enter we were greeted by Mickey himself along with several other cast members and the Magic Kingdom Welcome Show. Upon entering you immediately take in their “Main Street” where you see the Castle straight ahead. You aren’t surrounded by chain restaurants and movie theaters but rather fairytale type shops and ice cream parlors and whatever else you can imagine.

The differences in first impression between the two are extremely noticeable. Again, I think the difference is intentionality. Is first impression important for the church? I have read from several sources and heard personally how important the first few minutes are when a first time guest visits a church.

More than a truism, first impressions are lasting ones. Little hope of correcting a bad first impression is possible. The decision to return for a second visit is often made before guests reach your front door. Here a few questions that every church leader must answer …

• Are you creating the entire experience, beginning with your parking lot?
• Are you consciously working to remove barriers that make it difficult for guests to find their way around and to feel at home with your people?
• Do newcomers have all the information they need without having to ask any embarrassing questions?
• Are your greeters and ushers on the job, attending to details and anticipating needs before they are expressed?
• Does anything about your guests’ first experience make them say, “Wow!” and want to return?
• Are you doing this all with intentionality?

A church may have the most skilled preacher, and a church may have excellent small groups or the best children’s ministry in the city. The first-time guests will never know unless they make a second or third visit. Will they come back? It all depends on the impression the church is making.

The first impression is all about being intentional. Just as Disney is much more intentional about their first impression so the church must be intentional in its first impression.

Check back tomorrow for Part 2.