Where Visitors Go to Die

By Jeremiah Tatum

    Having been raised in the church from infancy, and having been a located gospel preacher for 15 years, I have learned that there is a place where visitors and sometimes even members go to die.I was less than 10 years old the first time I ever went doorknocking, and about that same age the first time I participated in a weekly visitation program. I was afraid. I was weak. I was imperfect - I am still all of these things. The point is that there is really no excuse for not reaching out to people who need the Lord and His church.
    There is a place where visitors go to die right in our church buildings. If you wanted to do a study on it in your local congregation, you would locate the spot. Visitors sit there, and nobody speaks to them. They got unlucky. They just happened to sit in that part of the building where some of the members only talk to their friends after services. They just happened to sit in that part of the building where members beat them out the door as soon as amen is said. They just happened to sit in that part of the building where there are members who have never decided to obey the great commission. Forget going into all the world...these members won't even go across the pew.
    As a preacher, I am going to let you members out there know that I am looking for visitors on Sundays. Jesus died for our visitors, too. I may not talk to you every week because I am looking for lost sheep. If you would join me then we could make sure that there are no places in our building where visitors go to die. It may not be what you want to hear, but I know exactly where some of the "dead spots" are in our current building. And unless things change I hope that visitors don't sit in those particular places.
    Move off "your pew" and make a place for a visitor. Invite a visitor to eat lunch with you after services. Introduce yourself and tell each visitor you are glad to see them. Invite every visitor to come to Bible class and show them how to get there.
    There is a place where visitors go to die. Make sure that it is not next to you. You are accountable. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all..." ~ Galatians 6:10

- Jeremiah Tatum preaches for the Willow Avenue church in Cookeville TN, He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.willowcoc.com/ or visit his blog: http://backtothebible.blogspot.com/