Furniture Store and Place of Worship
I remember the first time I drove past the side of an IKEA on my way to Charlotte, NC. I saw a big, blue building with yellow letters on it, but I didn’t know much about it. Days later, I heard a friend get excited about going there on a Charlotte trip she was taking. It seems like I’ve heard about IKEA regularly since then; even seeing it in the movie (500) Days of Summer.
IKEA, you have my attention.
None of this made me really want to consider going. After all, it’s a bunch of furniture, and that’s not my idea of a trip destination. That was until I read this post on my Bible study leader’s blog last week. The post speaks of how exciting of a shopping experience IKEA is; even comparing it to Disney.
The night of my next Bible study, I asked what was so special about IKEA. I was then presented with all the wonders of going there. When you walk in, you’re given supplies to help you shop. There is a level that is nothing but showrooms–literal “rooms” simulating apartments, dorms, houses, etc.–and a second level where you do your actual shopping. There’s a restaurant, and since IKEA is Swedish, so is the food. I was told you can spend hours there. The furniture is sleek and contemporary, and the price ranges are pretty affordable. As if this didn’t do the trick, I was then handed an IKEA catalog to get a little taste for myself.
I want to go to IKEA now.
What I ultimately walked away with are thoughts on how I to share about my church with someone in a way that produces the same result as IKEA being shared with me. What do I say or do when telling someone about my church? Like IKEA, do people want to hear how big and modern it is? Should I tell them we brew fresh Guatemalan coffee; that when they walk in, they will be handed items to help them connect to the worship service?
While all of these things are part of creating a positive and memorable reaction upon arrival, I’m not sure that’s what people want to hear about when you’re sharing about your church. After all, they could just go to IKEA for most of what’s mentioned above.
People who are considering going to your church are looking for answers, and not a free donut. Tell them about what your church has meant to you. Share your story. Tell them about the lives you’ve seen changed. Share with them the things God is doing in your church. Help them become hopeful that where you worship is a place they may get their answers. Then feed them a donut and hand them a program once they’re there. Pray for them, excitedly share about where you go, and lead them to a place that may leave them saying, “I want to go to church Sunday.”
Take these things I’ve mentioned, and then go all “IKEA” with them.
