"Knock, knock..." A gray-haired pastor stood at the church door and knocked, but no one answered. After a long time, someone told her that the church had no activities that day. She had to leave in disappointment.
It turned out that it was a pastor from North China who went to a southern city and wanted to go to church after the business, but she did not get it. The pastor has kept it a habit for many years that she would go to a local church to pray for a while and make some contributions whenever she went to other cities.
Ascribe to the setback, the old pastor told the on-duty staff workers again to take the tourists from other places seriouly. This is because there are Christians who want to "go home" and seekers who are "looking for home".
What the old pastor experienced is not an isolated case. I believe many believers have experienced or heard of similar things.
As the church cannot preach the gospel in public places other than churches and gathering sites, it is even more important to cherish the religious investigators who came to the church on their own initiative. The church reception work is very important, for a warm reception may save a soul.
When I visited a Catholic church, which is also a famous local scenic spot, I found that it was really good at receiving tourists.
When I came to this century-old church, I found many tourists taking pictures of it or with it. I walked towards the church door with doubts about whether I could have a visit.
I saw a roll-screen poster of “Instructions for Visiting the Church”, which read "What a Lovely Palace You Have, Lord Almighty," and "Dear Visitors, Welcome to *** Church. The Lord Jesus said, Come and have a look! You are all my guests, so I am very happy to serve you... " The following are some precautions to remind people not to make noise, laugh, or lie down in the church chairs. There is also a QR code attached to the poster to help tourists learn more about Catholicism.
In the church, some people were looking at the church history, and some were looking at the interior decoration. Many people kept shooting with their mobile phones and cameras. There were several stacks of gospel brochures on the small showcase, each with more than 20 pages. Next to the brochures, there was an eye-catching prompt: "Help yourself to read it".
When we were sightseeing, the voice of prayer suddenly sounded in the church. There were a few people at first, and then a few more joined. It was not a regular church gathering but a spontaneous prayer meeting by believers. The prayers attracted the attention of tourists and made them quieter.
Out of the church, there was a poster at the entrance of an affiliated building that listed four teaching schedules for the catechumens.
Although most Protestant churches are not as magnificent and spectacular as Catholic churches, some of them have a history of more than 100 years and are cultural relics. Some churches are located near commercial streets and scenic spots, which can attract many tourists. Some set up photo-taking points for tourists, while others open toilets for tourists and provide them with places for tea and rest...
- Translated by Oliver Zuo
“咚咚咚……”一位头发花白的牧者站在教堂门口敲着门，然而，久久无人应答。这时有人告诉她，教会当天没有活动，不开门。她只好失望地离开了。
原来，这位来自北方的牧者是到南方一个城市办事，办妥后想去教会坐坐，没想到未能如愿。这位牧师多年来保持一个习惯：到外地时会去当地一座教堂坐坐，在里面祷告一会儿，并给那个教会做些奉献。
因着这次受挫，老牧者回到自己所在的教会后，再次叮嘱值班同工：遇到外地的游客，一定要带他们到教会里看看。因为有想要“回家”坐坐的主内家人，也有正在“寻家”的慕道友。
这位老牧师所经历的事情并非个例，相信不少弟兄姐妹经历过或听说过类似的事情。
教会的接待工作很重要。因为教会既然不能在教堂、聚会点外的公共场所合法传福音，就更当珍惜主动来到教堂的慕道友。一次温暖的接待，或许就挽救了一个灵魂。（==当summary）
笔者在参观一间本身也是当地著名景点的天主教堂时，发现它在接待游客上做得很好。
来到这座百年教堂，笔者发现不少游客在拍教堂的，或跟教堂合影的。这间教堂可以进去参观吗？笔者带着疑惑朝教堂门口走去。
看到一张“来访进堂须知”的易拉宝海报，写着“万有的上主，你的殿宇多么可爱”，“尊敬的来访者，非常欢迎您来到**教堂。主耶稣说：你们来看看吧！你们都是主耶稣邀请的客人，因此我们非常高兴为您服务……”随后是告知一些注意事项，提醒大家不要在教堂里喧哗、嬉笑、在座椅上躺卧。海报右下角还附有一个二维码，扫码可以对天主教有更多的了解。
在教堂内，游客们有的在看教堂的历史简介，有的在看教堂的内部装饰。不少人用手机、相机不停地拍摄着。在教堂的小展柜上摆放着几摞福音宣传册，每本二十多页。宣传册旁边贴着醒目的提示语“请您阅读”。
当游客们在观光的时候，教堂内突然响起了祷告的声音。起初是几个人，后来又增加了几个人。这不是教堂固定的聚会，而是信徒自发过来祈祷的。信徒们的祈祷吸引了游客们的注意，也使游客们自然地更加安静了。
走出教堂，在教会的一栋附属建筑门口又摆放了一张海报，写着慕道班的授课安排，有四个可以选择的时间。
虽然新教的教堂大多没有天主教的教堂雄伟、壮观，但一些新教教堂也拥有百余年历史，是文物保护单位。也有的教堂处在商业街、景区附近，这都能吸引很多游人参观。一些新教教会为游客设置了拍照打卡点；也有的教会开放卫生间供游人使用，并为游客提供茶水、休息的场所……
一位老牧师被挡在了教堂门外
"Knock, knock..." A gray-haired pastor stood at the church door and knocked, but no one answered. After a long time, someone told her that the church had no activities that day. She had to leave in disappointment.
It turned out that it was a pastor from North China who went to a southern city and wanted to go to church after the business, but she did not get it. The pastor has kept it a habit for many years that she would go to a local church to pray for a while and make some contributions whenever she went to other cities.
Ascribe to the setback, the old pastor told the on-duty staff workers again to take the tourists from other places seriouly. This is because there are Christians who want to "go home" and seekers who are "looking for home".
What the old pastor experienced is not an isolated case. I believe many believers have experienced or heard of similar things.
As the church cannot preach the gospel in public places other than churches and gathering sites, it is even more important to cherish the religious investigators who came to the church on their own initiative. The church reception work is very important, for a warm reception may save a soul.
When I visited a Catholic church, which is also a famous local scenic spot, I found that it was really good at receiving tourists.
When I came to this century-old church, I found many tourists taking pictures of it or with it. I walked towards the church door with doubts about whether I could have a visit.
I saw a roll-screen poster of “Instructions for Visiting the Church”, which read "What a Lovely Palace You Have, Lord Almighty," and "Dear Visitors, Welcome to *** Church. The Lord Jesus said, Come and have a look! You are all my guests, so I am very happy to serve you... " The following are some precautions to remind people not to make noise, laugh, or lie down in the church chairs. There is also a QR code attached to the poster to help tourists learn more about Catholicism.
In the church, some people were looking at the church history, and some were looking at the interior decoration. Many people kept shooting with their mobile phones and cameras. There were several stacks of gospel brochures on the small showcase, each with more than 20 pages. Next to the brochures, there was an eye-catching prompt: "Help yourself to read it".
When we were sightseeing, the voice of prayer suddenly sounded in the church. There were a few people at first, and then a few more joined. It was not a regular church gathering but a spontaneous prayer meeting by believers. The prayers attracted the attention of tourists and made them quieter.
Out of the church, there was a poster at the entrance of an affiliated building that listed four teaching schedules for the catechumens.
Although most Protestant churches are not as magnificent and spectacular as Catholic churches, some of them have a history of more than 100 years and are cultural relics. Some churches are located near commercial streets and scenic spots, which can attract many tourists. Some set up photo-taking points for tourists, while others open toilets for tourists and provide them with places for tea and rest...
- Translated by Oliver Zuo
Story: Reception Work Is Important for Church to Save Souls
