CPC Breakout--First Impressions-Environments matter

CPC Breakout-First Impressions: Environments Matter, led by Sam Luce

Love Disney's intentionality of creating environments. Also Starbucks
Environments are not good or bad, not good vs. evil
What is an environment that kids want to come to? Has to be intentional

Environments matter because they matter to God Exodus 26:1-6 (details of tabernacle)
Goal is not so people will be impressed with how cool our church or stuff is, goal is that people will be overwhelmed by what God is doing--something different--something kids will want to come back to

We will never be able to match Disney or Nickelodeon, but they will never be able to match the relational impact the church can have

Tools only go so far-environments have to be 'values driven'
Redeemer (Sam's church) uses 4 Be attitudes
Be attitudes:
1. Be Safe--check names, backgrounds, cameras in rooms, etc
2. Be courteous--Welcome, smile, be happy to be there, look for people who need help
3. Be engaging--someone needs to know kids names and care about them, if you can't do it all, empower others to do that.
4. Be consistent--use our influence to show that kids matter every week, not just at special events, VBS, etc.

7 ways to make kids feel welcome
1. Talk to them how they talk to you-if they're shy, be shy, etc.
2. Make fun of yourself
3. Stoop down to their level
4. Stay up on kid culture
5. Give them things
6. Learn their names
7. Always greet kids before their parents