Unfortunately there is a myth in the church world that because “the Lord looks on the heart” we can be less concerned with what man looks at.

However, nothing could be further from the truth. Often the excuse of “judge us by our heart” is an excuse for not doing the hard work of creating excellence within the parameters and limitations that exist.

Is there a biblical foundation for creating a positive first impression?

I believe there is.

In 1 Kings 10 and 2 Chronicles 9 we find the story of when the Queen of Sheba came to visit King Solomon. Please allow me to highlight some of the statements that indicate the importance of creating a good first impression and how it leads to making a lasting impression.

The Queen Of Sheba “heard of Solomon” (1 Kings 10:1)
Wouldn’t it be great if people would come to visit the church because they were so intrigued about what they heard about us? What people experience in our church becomes what they share with others. What they share with others is directly correlated to their desire to share in that experience.

“Nothing was hidden” from her (1 Kings 10:3–5)
Her entire time was summed up in this one statement. The passage tells us that he answered all her questions, that she was impressed by the house he had built, his food, how people were seated, the service of the attendants, their attire, the cupbearers, and their sacrifices (worship).

What people experience in our church becomes what they share with others. 

Think of the amount of detail captured in that visit. This is a picture of the ultimate first impression. Walt Disney may have been able to learn a thing or two from the same visit.

The Scriptures indicate how this moved her by the statement “there was no more breath in her.”

Can you imagine a church that takes people’s breath away?

The First Impression caused her to “bless the Lord” (1 Kings 10:9)
First impressions must be designed to reveal the glory and goodness of our Father. The Queen of Sheba saw that in her visit. She spoke a blessing to the Lord and spoke of his love for all of Israel because of her experience with Solomon.

A first impression in your church should point people to an experience with Jesus that they will never forget.

First Impressions allowed her to “receive a gift of greater value” (2 Chronicles 9:12 NLT)
Most people end the story with the offering that the Queen of Sheba brought, but in so doing they miss the point. Solomon gave her a gift of greater value than what she brought with her.

Isn’t that the point of a first impression from the Church? It should be our goal that we have a good first impression so that there is nothing standing in the way of a guest receiving all that God has in that moment.

Good first impressions are not about gaining return visitors or adding numbers to our attendance. Good first impressions are about investing in others. It’s about an example of God’s lavish love on us played out in real time through His children.

Don’t let excuses get in the way of creating a great first impression on your guests. It may be the only thing that allows for an ultimate lasting impression — a relationship with Christ.

This post originally appeared on the KidsMin blog and has been used with permission.