The July Effect
There’s an old saying imbued with the weight of conventional wisdom: “Don’t go to the hospital in July.”
Although there’s some disagreement within the literature over its validity, the premise is that medical mistakes increase in July when new graduates flood into hospitals for their first weeks of work as residents. It’s known as the July Effect.
What if the church likewise suffers from a version July Effect? Perhaps we ought to caution people, “Don’t go to church in July.” That may seem like an odd thing for a pastor to say, but hear me out.
July can be a dangerous time to visit a church. People are on vacation. Programming is on hiatus. Guest preachers fill the pulpit. A sort of summer solipsism sets in, leaving the congregation self-absorbed and lazy. And yet, July is precisely when a lot of people are moving to new cities, visiting churches, and searching for community. New college graduates taking their first adult steps bravely walk into intimidating sanctuaries. Families relocated for new jobs try to find spiritual homes before the madness of Fall.
The solution to the July Effect in hospitals is found in oversight and collaboration. It’s an all-hands-on-deck mentality where senior residents and seasoned nurses pitch in to compensate for the inexperience of the newest doctors. I’ve heard from some doctors that the heightened awareness and attention around medical care actually mitigates concerns related to the July Effect, making it as safe a time as any to visit the hospital. When working together takes place as it should, the hospital remains a safe and life-giving place.
That’s the solution the church needs in July, as well: an all-hands-on-deck approach to care and ministry. Knowing that it’s a time of fluidity, of much coming and going, the church needs to have its eyes open for visitors. The church needs to extend the welcome of Jesus. Particularly during the dog days of summer—when many City Church regulars are out of town and when the church lacks some of the dynamic buzz of school year busy-ness—we all must make a point to engage with people we don’t know. Greet someone during the service. Linger afterwards and talk. Invite them out to dinner. Offer to be their tour guide in a new city.
I remember a leadership meeting early on in the life of City Church. As we discussed needs within the church and considered who would do what, someone mentioned that with all the visitors showing up, it was important for someone talk to them. “We should assign a person to talk with the new people,” this leader suggested. I paused for a moment, letting that suggestion hang like damp pair of jeans on a clothesline. Then, I turned to the whole group of leaders and said, “That’s our job. We’ve all got to do that.”
A lot has changed at City Church since then, but the basic idea of welcome and care hasn’t. Gospel welcome isn’t something we can ever assign to one or two people. It’s at the center of our identity as a church. It’s something we do together.
The longer I’m a pastor the more I realize that most people make a decision about a church very quickly, based on first impressions of how they were treated by the people there. Sure, worship style and theology and kids’ programs are important. But more than anything else at church we’re looking to be known and loved. For most visitors, before they care what we believe, they must believe that we care. So, this July, let’s do all we can to help them walk away from City Church saying…
“They remembered my name.”
“They took the time to ask about me.”
“They invited me in.”
City Church, this is our calling. It’s nothing less than Christian hospitality, extending the welcome of the gospel. It’s not something that the pastors or the staff can do alone. It’s something we do. Together. So this July, when you’re in Richmond, come to worship. Don’t let the inertia of a lazy Sunday afternoon or the allure of a vacation from church deter you. In reaching out to others we’ll remember how God has reached out to us in Christ.
Stay Well & Do Good.
Erik