With an earnest desire to attract more people to our church, our small membership voted to purchase expensive front doors and a new sign. At first, I was critical of the decision, knowing that those kinds of changes alone are not what bring people to church.
Then a fellow member gently pointed out that once a majority decision has been made, all the members need to metaphysically support it, not divide the group or impede the development of the idea.
That started me thinking about our front doors. They were solid. No windows. Some ushers refused to stand outside them to greet people, instead waiting inside for folks to enter. Some people, like those with walkers, or mothers with babies in their arms, would have a bit of a struggle to even open the doors to get in!
I began to see new doors as a metaphor for what we needed to do: Open wide our hearts and minds to the community. Had we been secretly hiding behind those closed doors, with our hearts shut tight to sharing, to reaching out, and bringing the healing message of the Christ to others? Were we truly ready to receive all who might walk in?
All of a sudden, I not only embraced the idea of new doors, I became head of the committee overseeing the purchasing and installation of them!
Now, as I stand on the platform as a Reader, I can see the cars and pedestrians through our new glass doors. And I think of the light of the Christ shining in both directions—in and out. I love looking through the beveled glass panes, which serve as a symbol to me of what we need to be doing daily—keeping the doors of our hearts and minds wide open, being better transparencies for Truth.
We also purchased a new sign where we post a new inspirational verse each week that can be read by all who drive or walk by. It, too, has brought our message out from under cover to bless our community.
