Eyes Up, Hearts Open, Hands Out
A few years ago, my wife and I along with several other families were invited to a couple’s home to get to know them better. As we entered their house, we were a little bit taken back that the host of the party never took the time to introduce himself to us, ask anything about us, or attempt to interact with us in any way. We stood in the kitchen and interacted with some of the other guests, while the host sat in his living room talking to some of his friends and colleagues. While we were invited into their home…we felt anything but welcome.
Sometimes that is the experience of a person visiting church for the first time. They are told they are welcome to come, but the physical experience can often feel like the experience that Jennifer and I had. The “hosts” can often be so pre-occupied with their normal groups of friends and responsibilities that they never even notice or engage when a visitor comes through the door, leaving them to feel like they aren’t important.
This Sunday we are offering a new ministry called “Discover Grace”. The goal behind this is to stop for a moment and take the time to not only meet and connect with newer people who have been coming to church, but also to learn a little bit about them and answer any questions that they may have about our church. This can be anyone from a first time to visitor, to someone who may have been attending for a while but hasn’t really plugged in. The pastors and elders will connect with these families and individuals to help them feel connected to the church family and for us to learn about their ministry needs. We will offer this on the second Sunday of each month to help them take the next steps in their walk with Jesus and His church.
But what about the rest of the time? Our church is doing an amazing job of connecting with each other after the services on Sunday. It is such a joy to hear the laughter and the interaction that is happening after the church service. It has also been a blessing to see how the fellowship time prior to the service is growing and becoming more interactive. But what about that new family? What about that young couple that just came through the door? What about those two college guys who are looking for their place?
Did you see them? Did you try to connect with them? Did you ignore them in awkward silence? As the church grows it can be hard to remember names or whether a person has been here before…believe me I struggle with that as much as anyone else. However, I can’t help but go back to that awkward moment when the host sat in his living room and ignored my presence in his kitchen. I would have rather received an awkward greeting than to be ignored.
Imagine showing up at a church and the door was opened for you and you were greeted with a smile. Imagine walking into the foyer to be greeted by a friendly host who introduces themselves to you. Imagine entering into the main room and being invited to have a cup of coffee or snack. Imagine a hostess at the table serving you with a smile. Imagine being engaged in conversation and invited to sit with someone. Imagine being noticed and having the feeling that someone cares that you are in church this morning. Imagine, those feelings of being afraid of visiting a church for the first time being diminished because you found a welcoming home that invited you in and you can’t wait to tell your friends about it.
That’s the kind of fellowship that draws people to Jesus. If you are already filling in one of those steps…great job! Keep up the good work! Thank you for being faithful.
My hope is that we will be a church that every person who walks through the door will experience Jesus from the door to the pulpit and from the pulpit to the door. We live in a world of broken people, many who are looking for Jesus and a place to belong.
Eyes up, hearts open, hands out. Let’s welcome those who come through our door as Jesus would.