Articles
Personal Greeting
I think that more and more our culture is moving away from the simple yet powerful
concept of the greeting. We get wrapped up in what we are doing and forget to acknowledge the
people around us. How often do we walk by people without even saying hello? We often hear
technology is to blame and maybe it plays a part. I know personally, because I have seen a
change in interactions since the development of smart phones.
When you read through the New Testament, you run across several personal greetings.
Most of the letters begin with a personal greeting from the author to a person, church, or group of
churches. One chapter in particular deals almost exclusively with greetings. Romans chapter 16
is full of personal greetings from Paul to various members of the church in Rome.
We all need recognition. We need to feel that we matter. Every human being has a basic
and natural desire to be acknowledged as significant. Even in the church, we often see people
attending services and they don’t speak to anyone the entire time they are there. Greetings help
us make a connection. They show our concern for other people. They allow us the chance to
reach outside ourselves and become a part of something bigger.
One article that deals with first impressions and greetings indicated we should do the
following: (1) Determine to take every instance of greeting seriously. (2) Take the focus off
yourself and place it on the other person. (3) Learn and use a person’s name in your greeting. (4)
Bless the person with affirmation and interest. (5) Use an appropriate physical expression of
affection such as a warm handshake or hug.
Please take time today and greet the people around you.
~B Tolbert
