BREAKING:Thousands evacuated as storm hits Philippines

                                       

Philippine authorities have ordered the evacuation of some 6,000 people from the southern Philippines islands amid heavy storm.

Authorities issued warnings about floods and landslides as the tropical storm hit Siargao island, located just off the main southern island of Mindanao.

The storm, known as “Auring,” swept across the southern and central islands with maximum gusts of 70 kilometers (44 miles) per hour. The government weather station said in its forecasts that the storm was moving westward and would exit the archipelago by Tuesday.

Officials said some communities had already experienced flash floods as rain had been falling even before the storm hit. Amado Posas, the civil defense director of operations in the affected area, said further rain was expected as a result of the storm and that rivers and streams could overflow. He dismissed the possibility of casualties as people had been evacuated before the storm hit.

Disaster monitoring agencies in southern Philippines had issued preemptive evacuations in the past few days while the government had suspended sea travel in affected areas. Officials said they were also monitoring the situation in remote areas of the provinces of Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley where heavy rains had been falling.

Storms generated over the Pacific Ocean normally hit the Philippines as the first major land mass. The islands experience some 20 major storms each year, with many of them resulting in casualties. The last major storm hitting the area, namely the Typhoon Nock-Ten, came over the Christmas holidays and killed six people. At least 18 were unaccounted for after the storm lashed the southern islands.

Why First Impressions Can Change Your Church

                                  

Your first-time guests often decide if they will return within the first 10 minutes. Some are more forgiving and will give you a second chance, but most won’t.

The unchurched look for reasons not to return. Even though they were probably invited by a friend, even friendship can’t override a blown first impression.

It’s like your first visit to a restaurant. Your first 10 minutes usually determines if you will return. Even if your experience “gets better” through the meal, your initial perspective is so skewed that it’s difficult to see past those first impressions. The way the hostess greeted you, the way you were escorted to a table and the way you were treated for the first few minutes largely determines the remainder of the experience.

The same is true in your church. Your first impressions absolutely determine if the first-time guest returns for a second time.

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Colossians 4:5-6

Here are three simple questions to help you improve your first impressions.

1) How do you Greet people?

We’ve all been in a restaurant where it seemed like we were intruding on the hostess’ reception area. It’s a terrible experience. We wait and wonder. We check in and are told, “As you can see we are very busy, we’ll get to you when we can.”

In stark contrast, one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in San Diego always has a wait. They learn your name, bring out free chips and salsa, and if you wait too long, bring you a free iced tea!

How are people greeted in your church? What do your guests experience in the parking lot—smiles or impatient waving and pointing? Do your greeters make people feel like a million bucks or an inconvenience?

2) How do you Seat people?

That 20-second walk means everything. I’ve visited restaurants where the hostess walked slowly, made pleasant conversation and asked if I was happy with the table. I’m already smiling. I’ve also experienced hostesses who seemed to sprint off, look back impatiently because I stopped to say hi to someone, dropped the menus off at the table and leave.

Whenever I see an usher pointing rather than walking a guest to a place to sit, I cringe. If the visitor knew where to go, they wouldn’t need an usher. Especially when a guest is late, they know they are late, so make them feel even more welcomed! Worship has already started, it’s dark, they can’t see well and people are standing. That’s intimidating. You can put them at ease. You can make the difference that inspires them to come back! It’s the little things that matter.

3) How do you Treat people?

Whether it’s the leaders in the nursery, the person serving coffee or the prompts from the worship leader, your guests should know if you care about them.

Treat each guest like they were a king or queen!

Go the second mile. If you don’t know the answer to a question, find the answer. Do all you can to make their experience warm, personal and engaging.

Serve with joy.

Be real, be yourself and help each person feel right at home.

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 7:12

Written by Dan Reiland

Dr. Dan Reiland serves as Executive Pastor at 12Stone Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He previously partnered with John Maxwell for 20 years, first as Executive Pastor at Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego, then as Vice President of Leadership and Church Development at INJOY. He and Dr. Maxwell still enjoy partnering on a number of church related projects together.