Do you sometimes wish your church had more people coming? We all wince when we see large gaps, empty pews, bare places. It’s especially painful when someone precious slips out a side door and into the shadows of indifference or isolation. We want to cry out: NO!! Don’t leave us! What can we do to change your minds? Come back!

There are many issues to weigh and hard realities to consider. This booklet offers just one: “Try Kindness.” Believers can debate about doctrinal discord and unkempt parking lots and the repetitive thump of today’s praise tunes. But the bottom line is pretty simple: do we treat one another as kindly as Jesus did during His years of ministry?

In my own faith community, a dust-covered quote from the archives suggests that if we just tried kindness, we might soon experience a hundred baptisms instead of one. Really? Frankly, I’m ready to try it! My bride and I are a quiet army of just two foot soldiers, but we’re pledged to drive over to the church each weekend exuding kindness and generous love for everyone there.

Please consider the ideas in this booklet and then join us! Let’s make kindness our contagious weapon of choice.

*****David B. Smith is the author of the Rachel Marie series of faith-based love stories all set at Bangkok Christian School, where the main characters are lovable teachers who almost vibrate with teasing cheerfulness and a healthy dose of kindness.