We're returning to this lengthy blog series that began Monday with a reference to my kids starting school this week. My older two are both in new schools, and will be making a lot of new friends. I even feel a bit uncomfortable for them, and it's bringing back some of the anxiety I dealt with as a child and teen. I remember feeling so imtimidated the first day I walked into the high school building as an 8th grader (my small town didn't have a junior high). The coolest feeling came when some of the upper classmen took us under their wings and befriended us.
You know, that same thing happens in the church, but with must more frequency. Newcomers feel like children going to class in a new building for the first time. They're scared, intimidated and apprehensive about coming. But, they have come, and it's our duty as Christians to make them feel welcome, appreciated and wanted.
So, this series is dedicated to the newcomer. I'm giving tips on what we can do to help make their visit a good one. Today's tip is very easy to do. It's something we saw Jesus do countless times. He befriended the people he was trying to reach. As you read through the Gospels, you find that the people who hated Jesus were those who didn't like the people He befriended. Those same religious leaders who later murdered Jesus viewed the "sinners and tax collectors," as they called them, as scum and unworthy of God's love.
Fast forward 2,000 years, and we find similar attitudes in some churches. We build four walls, then do all we can to keep the "sinners and tax colelctors" of our day out while protecting what we have inside. That's not very becoming of people who say they follow the same guy who said He came to seek and provide salvation to EVERYONE who believed in Him.
So, here's today's tip for when you encounter newcomers in your church. It's a hard one. You may have trouble with it. Grit your teeth. Here it is...in two words: BE FRIENDLY.
That's all it takes. Just like the upper classmen who reached out to the new 8th graders in those first days at the high school, visitors to your church need someone who is friendly, will shake their hand, talk to them past the courtesy greetings and take time to get to know them. Those relationships will go a long way toward making someone who's never been in church feel comfortable, liked and at home.
What do you think? Any other ideas on this topic?
Tomorrow, I will bring the kids up again. Only, this time it'll be about your kids area.
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