08/05/2026
For years, I've talked about strengthening both our bodies and our faith. This new book is about strengthening something else...
The way churches welcome people.
One of the greatest honors of writing Don't Be That Church.....was having Pastor Rochelle Carlson write the foreword.
Donna and I have come to appreciate Rachelle's heart for Jesus, her love for people, and her passion for helping others grow in their faith.
When someone you respect believes in your message enough to write the foreword, it's a tremendous encouragement.
I'd like to share her words with you.
FORWARD
The first time my husband and I really got to know Ron and his wife, Donna, was over lunch at a local Mexican restaurant.
I'll admit, I was grateful when the chips and queso arrived almost immediately.
We didn't know each other very well yet, and I wondered how we'd fill an hour or more of conversation with people who were practically strangers. Looking back, I feel foolish, because that wasn't a problem at all!
Ron and Donna were genuinely interested in getting to know us. They asked thoughtful questions, shared stories of their own, laughed easily, and before long the conversation was flowing naturally. Somewhere between the salsa, the queso, and a sizzling plate of fajitas, what could have been an awkward first lunch became the beginning of a new friendship.
As I read this book, I kept thinking back to that meal because it wasn't an isolated experience. I've come to learn that was simply Ron being Ron.
For more than a decade, I had the privilege of leading the hospitality ministry at our church. During those years, I encouraged hundreds of volunteers to become the kind of people who would walk across the room, introduce themselves to someone they didn't know, and help others feel like they belonged.
And one lesson became clear to our team: hospitality was never meant to be the responsibility of the people wearing matching t-shirts or special lanyards. Hospitality is at its very best when it becomes the culture of a church.
By God's grace, we've seen that culture grow, and I've become convinced that the healthiest churches aren't identified by exceptional hospitality teams. They're identified by congregations that believe welcoming people is everyone's calling.
That's why I appreciate Ron's approach. He doesn't offer gimmicks or scripts. It's not a "strategy." He invites each of us to cultivate hearts that genuinely delight in people. The practical ideas throughout these pages matter, but what matters even more is the spirit behind them.
Hospitality isn't a ministry you sign up for. It's a way of reflecting the welcoming heart of Christ. If every church embraced that vision, I believe we'd have fewer "visitors" and more people who feel "at home."
So read slowly. Try the challenges presented. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you notice people the way Jesus does. And if, somewhere along the way, you find yourself inviting someone to lunch over chips and queso, don't be surprised.
That's often how the kingdom grows one genuine conversation at a time.
Rachelle Carlson
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Thank you, Pastor Rachelle, for your friendship, your encouragement, and for believing in this message. Your support has meant more than you'll ever know.
— Ronald Henderson
Don't Be That Church — Now Available on Amazon
Order your copy today:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HC4TFHZK
