Seven Things The Church Can Learn From Disneyland

1.   

1. WELCOME PEOPLE:  The staff at Disneyland was always helpful and inviting.  They made you feel comfortable from the time you boarded the parking lot tram on your way to the park.  What would a church look like if it welcomed people from the moment they entered the facility?  What if they were greeted with a smile, provided information about the church, and was escorted to a seat?  They would never sit alone and they would definitely want to stay.
2. CLEAN FACILITIES:  During one of the parades, some Mickey Mouse confetti shot out and got into Main Street.  As soon as the parade was over, there were about 5 vacuum machines, a number of manual street sweepers, and it was definitely a neat street again.  Churches need to be well maintained and cared for.  This goes from the pews (or chairs) to the restrooms to the nursery.  If you clean, it shows you care and we definitely should care for God’s church! 
3. BE READY:  I have been to Disneyland many times, but others were new or haven’t recently attended.  The staff there was ready for any situation, was accommodating, and made sure that the guest’s enjoyment is a priority.  Shouldn’t the church make visitors a priority?  Be prepared for their questions instead of judging them, be prepared to direct them to restrooms, and be prepared to meet the need no matter how small it is.  After all, Jesus always met the need!
4. ORGANIZED:  With the exception of California Adventure, Disneyland is one of the most organized and well planned parks.  In church, I have long debated if the church is an organism or an organization.  It is BOTH!  Not only are we a living, breathing growing church, we also have structure.  Lack of organization leads to chaos and a chaotic church is not what God wants.  Doesn’t He want some order when we come together
5. CHANGE:  I was disappointed when the Star Tours ride was not available.  I was informed that they were doing some remodeling of the ride.  Remodeling means change, but in my mind it was perfect.  “Change” is the word we don’t want to hear in our churches.  Nobody likes to change, because they don’t see the value of it.  Change in churches means, we have to do things differently to keep connected to people and so our regulars don’t fall into a rut.  If we didn’t change, why would we have websites, emails, or COMPUTERS?  Churches need to lead people into change.  After all, don’t we change our mind when we have JESUS? 
6.   .  ABOVE EXPECTATIONS:  I have seen the Disneyland fireworks over and over again.  It is a true highlight of the evening.  I thought I would see the same big, bright fireworks I had seen before.  To my surprise it was a well coordinated, audio, visual and live entertainment event.  It went above my expectations.  When people come to church, we should go beyond their expectations.  We should deliver the best customer service for JESUS!!!  After all, our God is a big God!
   7.  COME BACK:  When people were exiting the park they had two choices.  They can leave the park and not return or they can leave the park and have their hand stamped so they would be able to return that day.  We have to create an environment where people would want to return.  Don’t get me wrong our church is not for everyone, but we should have quality worship, bible teaching and connecting with people so that they want to return.  Why?  Because Jesus is in those things and He will draw them near when the church is doing what God has shown them to do.

6.    

7.