This morning I went to a local restaurant to grab some breakfast, and I had an interesting conversation with the lady behind the counter. Unknowingly, she noticed that I worked at NewSpring Church (I had on my ID…the one that gets me in the door). At first, it weirded me out that she knew where I worked, and I wasn’t sure how until I looked down and realized I was wearing my ID..

She struck up a conversation with me and told me that she likes NewSpring better than another local church, which she named, but I will not. I proceeded to ask her why and this is what she said: “I like NewSpring because when I come to your church I do not feel that I am a number, you all make me feel that you care about me as a person. When I attend ? Baptist Church, it seems that all they care about is how much money I can give. They don’t say, “Hey Ms. ?, they say hey #151–the number that identifies me in the system and tells them how much I gave.”

Of course, that church doesn’t really do that, but how they make her feel is HUGE to her. They do not make her feel as someone who is loved and cared for because of her soul but because of her wallet! God help the church that is more welcoming to people with “bigger” wallets.

People notice how they are welcomed into the church and the underlying reason you greet them the way you do.

I am so thankful that I serve at a church that loves people no matter their race, gender, economic status, age, etc. Keep it up NewSpring, we are continually making a difference in the community in how we treat, love, and care for those that come. Not to mention, filling up 4 food pantries in the area with the food brought to our food drive. Check out Jake Beaty’s post with the details.