As I was walking around the campus of Olivet Nazarene University this morning, I saw a phrase that I really liked on the side of a Physical Plant van, which aptly articulates the mission of that unit of the University: "Protecting the First Impression!" Those who work in that area literally know that their role is to make the place look great, operate smoothly and efficiently, and to be "ready" for clients, customers, guests, and students.
Through the years, our emphasis of the importance of this function, and also of the fact that "first impressions are lasting impressions," has gotten us into some difficulty with some of our congregants and even some of our employees in the various places we've served. Not everyone sees the extraordinary value of such a focus, and of the resources necessary to make that focus a priority. Many have doubted and questioned the value and even the reasoning behind our thinking.
However, I will go to the grave in believing that "first impressions" are important, and that they make a very long lasting, indelible imprint.
Whether it's the way you're greeted when you enter; or the friendliness of those you encounter; or the cleanliness and presentation of the facility (especially the restrooms); from the time one walks, bicycles, or drives onto your parking lot, or enters your front door, they're deciding who you are...and they're determining whether or not you care that they're there or if you really can help them.
It's my renewed feeling that every business, church, Rescue Mission, University, store, office, and certainly every person working in or engaged in those organizations, would do well to be reminded of the importance of "Protecting the First Impression." In fact, we probably need to be reminded of this focus on a regular basis, so we can constantly be observing the impressions we're making with"fresh eyes."
Regarding the ministry that I'm fortunate enough to lead, it remains our hope and our desire that the Evansville Rescue Mission in no way looks like, smells like, or in any way resembles the stereotypical image of a homeless shelter. Our belief is that such an impression begins with the very first impression that one develops when they arrive on our property each and every time they visit us.
Perhaps it begins even before they physically arrive; maybe it begins when they learn about us in the community by the way we present ourselves through our reputation, our public engagement, and through our publications. Maybe we'll talk about that another day.
