Dear First Impressions Team,

This coming Easter is a strategic and important Sunday for Christ Church as well as Big Creek. I know that every Sunday is an important Sunday. And the work that you do as the First Impressions team is one of the most important responsibilities that day. But Easter, as well as Christmas, are particularly special. They are special because it is Easter day that many people go to church, that may not typically go any other Sunday. A sad fact, but nevertheless true.

If you are "on-duty" this Easter, be keeping an extra special eye out for first time visitors to Big Creek. And if you are not "on-duty" the same is true for you!! Of course Mary Jo and I always say that each and every Big Creeker is to make a great First Impression by welcoming our visitors.

As Easter approaches, pray for those unchurched who are going to hear the Gospel. Pray that the Spirit of God would penetrate their heart and transform their life. Also, pray for your neighbors and friends. Pray that they would go to Big Creek Church with you that Sunday. Easter is a wonderful, natural opportunity to invite others to church with you.

Thanks for all your hard work and commitment to using your gifts to serve with Big Creek and minister and love those who visit Big Creek. You are part of the First Impressions team, because people matter to God.

Bill Reichart and Mary Jo Giesman

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One of my responsibilities as Pastor of "Doing Life Together" is our First Impressions team. Our First Impressions team consists of 4 individual teams that are in the Parking Lot, at the Front Door, at our Information Desk and who operate the morning cafe'. The First Impressions team in an integral part of what happens on Sunday mornings at Big Creek Church.

We believe that what happens before people actually step foot in the worship service is as important as what happens during the service. People size up a church in the first 10 minutes. A guest will judge whether a church is friendly, caring and real before the worship band even plucks their first chord. Our First Impressions team is made up of dedicated and awesome individuals. The First Impressions team is so important, that Turkeys need not apply for this ministry team at Big Creek Church.

This story from MSNBC.com illustrates that point:

And in Wales Township in Michigan at Lamb UMC there was a brief eulogy recently for a critter the pastor called a model member of his congregation- a wild turkey! If he was a model member, I am wondering what the slackers looked like. This turkey regularly attended services for over a year and greeted people as they went into the church week after week. He was there when they came out as well, strutting his stuff.

But one day, someone, apparently annoyed with the noise and fuss of the bird ran over him- hence the need for a eulogy. When people would come out of the church, seems he annoyed some folks and caused them to leave in haste and in a huff.
(HT: MSNBC)

The moral of the story is that you shouldn't have Turkeys greeting people at the door - THEY ARE ANNOYING!!

Labels: Guests, Humor

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The views, thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are my personal views, they do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of Big Creek Church, our leadership or our people.

Bill Reichart is the Pastor of "Doing Life Together" which involves Small Groups and Connecting at Big Creek Church in Forsyth County, GA. Prior to coming to Big Creek, Bill worked on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ for over 16 years. Over the years, Bill has worked with college students at University of Rhode Island, UVA, and Towson University outside of Baltimore, MD - his home town.

While working with college students, Bill started taking classes at Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) and in 2004 he finished his MDiv. at RTS in Orlando.

In 2005, Bill came to work at Big Creek Church, a newly planted church outside of Atlanta.

Bill is married to a beautiful woman for over 17 years, and has two cute daughters that have captured his heart.


To find out more about Bill you can go to his LinkedIn profile:


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