COMM- 3155
September 25, 2013
Peggy Davis
Article #1
An interesting persuasive event was presented to me actually last night when my
sister-in-law told me an interesting story regarding religion. My sister-in-law, Erin, works
at my church, Harvest Bible Chapel in Hickory, North Carolina. Erin is one of the
administrative assistant’s at the church; Erin tends to follow up with our visitors to thank
them for visiting our church. However, this past week, Erin was calling a visitor that
came this past Sunday. Erin told her that our church was very happy to have her visit and
wanted to know her feedback on what she thought about the service. This was the call
that blew Erin’s mind, this lady let Erin have it; She hated every aspect of our church- she
hated our pastor because she said that “he tried to hard to make people like him”, and
being “too comedic”. She hated our members because they “were too friendly”, and lastly
she hated the fact we gave out gifts to new visitors because “we were bribing them to
come back”. It’s then what Erin did that may have persuaded this lady to want to
potentially talk to someone from the church again, and may potentially come back- Erin
didn’t tell her back to back scriptures nor de she defend the church, she let this lady rant,
not saying a word. Erin’s reasons for this, was because she knew nothing at this moment
was going to change this lady’s mind. However, she did know that she came to church in
the first place and was open to religion and accepting Jesus Christ. Erin knows that many
people who are not saved and do not know Jesus do not like the fact of people ‘shoving
Jesus down there throat’. It has to be a personal choice. Erin also knew from a
psychological point of view this woman was just so offended or taken back from the
church that her ranting to Erin may make her feel better to let it all, whereas some people
come back and defend the church, never letting anyone state their opinion about their
personal experience.
The purpose of this event was to determine the relationship the church may have with
new visitors, and how new visitors may view the church. There are many interpretations
that the church may not be thinking about- just like the gift bags our church distributeswe send it as a gift, and this lady viewed it as a bribe. Our potential from the event was
Erin letting this lady tell her all of her feedback to honor her thoughts and make her
understand that we do care about what she has to say- by Erin doing this she opened
another with this lady, by being thankful Erin listened to her, rather than the alternative.
Because Erin did this, this lady may be more accepting to coming back and developing a
personal relationship with the Lord. A potential effect from this event may be the
outcome from this lady coming back to church. Erin’s actions may cause this lady to
perceive our church in a whole different life, and that would benefit the church and the
lady visitor as well. I thought Erin’s demeanor may have persuaded that all Christian’s do
not conduct themselves the same way and do generally care what people have to say.