Granted Access
Granted Access
Our church has an open door mentality where everyone is welcome. This open door approach used to be a literal reality of a set of doors near the church office being open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM at night. After a few instances where our receptionist felt uneasy with walk-in’s, our church installed a security system where the outside doors are all locked. By each door is an intercom and a keypad for access.
Church members, regular attenders, and groups that use the building were all given particular codes to the keypad for easy access. Yes, there were some people who complained about the new system, but gradually everyone understood and embraced the system. They got used to quickly entering a code and opening a door to go inside. From the initial look, the transition seemed good from all fronts. We had a good safety system and people had access.
But what happens when a person does not have a code? This question came to the forefront recently when a student, whose family had been coming for several months, was asked how he was feeling connected. The student’s response was good overall but he wondered how he could get in the building without having to use the intercom each time. He wanted to be granted access into the church.
We gave him the “member code” on the spot, but his question made me think deeper. In a time when security to facilities is normal and expected, how can we create an atmosphere where you don’t need a code to be included? Over the next few blogs, we will explore this further.
But first, let’s think about whether our group is a closed or open door group. Some questions to think about:
If a group of students is talking or hanging out, how easy is it for another person to enter the group?
How quickly does a guest begin to find their place and call the group his/her group?
Do younger students feel the older students recognize them or do they feel invisible?
This “open door” is a mentality. It’s a personal openness to welcoming and building new friendships. It’s a willingness to allow another person to add their personality and gifts to the whole of a group. It’s an acknowledgement that the “me” and the “we” is not complete without those who will sit in that chair.
Building keypads and locked doors are a part of our reality now, but we don’t have to let this be the mentality of our ministry groups. Let’s always have an open door so we can be intentional to grant access. Doing so enables connection and ultimately belonging.