n Thursday I looked at the white board and reviewed the names of those who came the previous night to receive "New Heart" lessons. These are one-on-one Bible studies that explain the gospel and provide instruction in how to deepen one's walk with Jesus. Most of the 16 teachers of New Heart were busy on Wednesday working with new people. As I looked at the names on the white board, I observed that six of the 11 people on the list were first-time visitors as of the previous two Sundays. These six prayed to receive Christ or recommit to Christ during their last two New Heart sessions. But what preceded these exciting events was the role played by the doorkeepers. In a sense, they are a "different breed." They prefer being at the door than being up front. Psalm 84:10 says, "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." These doorkeepers function today at the door of the church. They greet folks when they come into the church. They are pleased that people have come to worship in the house of God. But the heart of these doorkeepers is especially filled with a passion to connect to guests who are new to the fellowship. All 11 of those who came Wednesday for New Heart met the doorkeepers when they came to church. The doorkeepers gave them the opportunity to sign the guestbook. Other doorkeepers offered to lead the way to the nursery and pointed out where the restrooms were. They showed guests where the children's ministries were located. And during the exit after the service, the doorkeepers gave first-time guests a gift and a pleasant farewell.

Some of the doorkeepers are New Heart teachers. They called the guests on Monday night and explained how New Heart could deepen their relationship with God. They made appointments for these guests to return on Wednesday for New Heart lessons. Nearly each week some new person is completing his seven weeks of study. And after graduating, many of them continue to attend church and be a part of the fellowship.

I am told that some churches do not have doorkeepers. I don't understand this. When it can be done sensitively, doorkeepers are vital to building the church. They gently encourage guests to sign the guest book. Doorkeepers have a vision. They do not assume that guests come without needs. The first need of a guest is to have a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The "vertical" relationship with God must be in order to correct problems with the "horizontal" relationships many people have. When the doorkeeper knows that excellent follow up is in place for guests, they are especially motivated to welcome newcomers. At a recent home fellowship where a good number of those present had gone through New Heart, two shared how important New Heart was in getting them started in the faith. Last Wednesday "Cathy" completed her seven New Heart sessions. In Session One she received Christ. While we rejoice that Cathy is on her way to a fulfilling life in Christ, we are especially pleased that the doorkeepers were in place to greet her, to get her name and phone number, to call her and to schedule her for New Heart. And the relationship doesn’t end with the final lesson. Soon Cathy will spend a day visiting museums in San Francisco with her New Heart teacher. Let's hear it for the doorkeepers!!