I was talking to our Sunday welcome team last night about the culture and atmosphere of welcome we want to create, certainly on Sundays but also right through our church community - in our central gatherings, in our community life and in our homes. If we are to be an effective family on mission (the theme for this blog!) then it shouldn't need saying that we need to be friendly and welcoming!
Last night I found myself using the metaphor of inviting people round to your house for a dinner party. Unless they're family or old friends, you're likely to go to some length to prepare the house to be tidy, warm, and welcoming; to be ready yourself to be welcoming rather than busy with your own preparations when they arrive; to take time to welcome them to your house, explaining where they can put their coat and where the WC is; introducing them to other people and breaking the ice in conversation. Anything less would be considered quite rude and unwelcoming! You go the extra mile; you think about the feelings of the guest; you don't make assumptions!
When people come to our church (central gatherings, communities or homes) we want them to experience the same thing that they would have found if they met with Jesus, because the church uniquely has the ability to show people what God is like! God is a Father who runs with arms open wide towards those who approach him, and says, Welcome home. He is the Son who welcomes crowds (Luke 9:11), and who welcomes sinners and eats with them (Luke 15:2). In Matt 25:31-45, stark language in, Jesus tells us that welcoming the stranger, on his behalf is really important to him!
The Sunday welcome team is not there to do all the welcoming, but to facilitate the whole church in doing so; rather as the worship team is there to facilitate us all in worshipping God!
And welcome is not just the job of leaders, preachers and group leaders: although it is important that we think carefully about how we lead and set a tone in our gathering and communities, this quality of love and acceptance cannot be fully displayed by leaders alone. Only the whole church together has enough kind words and open arms and kettles and kitchens, for everyone who visits us to be truly made at home.
How can we make a meaningful contribution to the welcome experienced by guests? Some suggestions!
- By regularly being there to do so (guests tend to arrive early, we need to be there to greet them)
- By listening and learning about any guest we meet
- By helping to explain what we do and why
- By avoiding in-jokes and assumptions
- By avoiding just getting into conversation with existing friends
- By introducing each guest to the person they think the guest will most connect with
- By ensuring each guest leaves knowing how and when they can engage further with the church (gatherings, groups, people)