Here is a sneak peek at something I've been working on. It combines two things I love. Running and People. Isn't it funny how some of the things you love the most can still drive you crazy? I'm talking about the running - promise.

What's the first thing you do in your worship service?

That is a question that every church should answer and re-answer as often as you evaluate your program. As people who put on programs weekly and sometimes more often than that, we are quite familiar with the importance of a quality first and last impression aren't we? We know that what we start and finish with earns favor with the listener and has the potential to keep them plugged into a statement until they decide to come back. 

But are we more concerned with keeping a statement or a brand in their mind than we are with their comfort in that service? 

The first 90 is a new element at Mt. Vernon that we have pieced together with hopes that any new guest has all of their "comfort questions" answered before anything else. 

For me, the concept is most effectively displayed in a dinner party. It doesn't always happen there, but any good hostess will welcome you at the door of the home and provide all of the answers that you need to survive until further instructions. 

"Welcome guys! You can place your coats inside the guest bedroom. Just to your right you will find the bathroom  and on your way back, grab a drink out of the cooler! Make yourself at home!"

You know going into it that you can ask all of the questions. You can find something to drink, you can leave your coat in the car. But isn't it just a little bit more comforting knowing the answers?

For us, the first 90 is an opportunity to ensure every week that guests know the answers to the questions they don't want to ask.