Dr. Eberhard Speaks Out -
"The Right Attitude"

The Rev. Dr. David Eberhard will do an article periodically called "Dr. Eberhard Speaks Out". He will challenge us with his thoughts and experience as a leading churchman in America. While we may agree, or not agree, he will share with us what he has learned that works in the local parish. Over his forty years of experience in the ministry, he has always tended to be ahead of the current curve of church practices, and is always "pushing the envelope" to get us to expand our thinking.

Has anyone ever said to you “You have an attitude!” It could mean a right attitude or a wrong attitude. Well, we need to get a right attitude about our church and ourselves, for it will determine a lot of our ability to minister to our people and to reach out to others. Some parishes develop a comfort zone mentality; everything is fine and we don’t need to rock the boat. They have the attitude that our parish is just for the members we have, and we really don’t want to reach out to others and grow. “Our little club house church at 2^nd and Main is fine just the way it is.” Still, others develop a superior attitude that they are more “pure” in doctrine than others. One pastor told me when he came to his present church they had 500 members, but he was proud of the fact that now they had 100 “true Lutherans”; the others had left the church. Then, there are those who want to have nothing to do with being called “Lutheran”. Their attitude is that outsiders will only attend the church if we throw the baby out with the bath water”. Out with tradition, out with liturgy, out with confession, out with creeds, out with clergy robes, out with the organ. In with the instrumental keyboard, in with the entertainment religion, in with the pastor in casual ware, in with the video screens, in with change for change sake.

Regardless of what structure or format your parish takes, it is the attitude of yourself and your membership that people pick up on quickly. How a member or visitor is treated in the first minute they arrive at the church will determine their attitude towards you. I have been to many churches where you are left standing alone, and made to feel “maybe they don’t want me here”. The real business of the church is people. How we retain the present members and make new members and visitors real feel welcomed is dependent upon our attitude. We need to get out of our comfort zones and neat little clusters and talk to everyone. Let them know they are welcome and accepted.

One way to develop the right attitude that persons are welcome and important is to make sure the first line of contact that is made by them is trained. Stimulate the ushers and greeters as their purpose is to show love, care, and be sensitive to people. Smile, make instant eye contact, and listen to the person's needs. “How can we help you, what can we do for you”. The church should be the friendliest place on earth. Disneyland is successful because its goal is to be a friendly place, to make people feel happy. The church should maintain friendly, smiling, happy people. See that everyone in the church has caught the spirit, and set the right attitude. Make the guests feel welcome and important but don’t pounce on them. Create an attitude in your church that causes friends to tell their friends about your church. Create an atmosphere of being persons who are open, caring, enthusiastic, and real.

The right attitude of developing a successful parish is important. Success breeds success; failure breeds failure. Encourage the attitude that “I can do that - I want to try that”! Go out and do things being willing to take risks and take on the challenges that lie ahead. However, don't let possible problems frustrate, or overwhelm you, or stop you. Also, know your limits; ask “Can we really do this”? There is no need to feel guilty over what you couldn't do. Know your niche and do its ministry well; you cannot be all things to all people.

The right attitude reaches out in prayer, seeking the help of the Lord of the Church. Not all praying churches grow - but growing churches pray.