My sister-in-law is a nursing student at Purdue. She also works security on campus a few hours each week. A few weeks ago we were walking around campus and she showed me something cool. All around the campus are call boxes that can be engaged by pushing a button. They have been strategically placed so that anywhere you are on campus (and it’s a big campus) you can see a call box in case you need help. Purdue brags that by the time you tag the next call box, campus police should be there.

Here’s a remarkable idea. Place call boxes in each hallway of your church. Strategically place them where visitors in your church can access them anywhere in the facility. Wire the call boxes to the welcome center or usher’s office. Promise that by the time a visitor tags the next call box, an usher will be there to assist them.

The problem: Creating the technology? No, that would be easy. Raising the money? Maybe, but not impossible. The problem is that visitors wouldn’t use your call box system. They don’t want to push a button and wait for someone in a tie to come running to them for aid. Visitors don’t want to be in the spotlight.

The best thing you can do is train the people in your church to be on the watch for visitors and always be sensitive to their needs. Have greeters and ushers strategically placed. Make the most of good signs. Be available and on alert yourself as a leader. Is this as remarkable as a call box system in your church? I think so.