I distinctly remember the first person I met when turning up to a new church for the first time in 1999. It was two people actually.
I had gone, all by myself, to a youth group. I walked into the car park of the church all alone, knowing no one and seeing if it was a place I could belong as a very new follower of Jesus.
The youth leaders saw me and encouraged two kids about the same age to go over and say 'hello'.
I remember this story for two reasons.
First, one of those kids was Adele! She was the first person I met at that new church. I want to say it was 'love at first sights' and 'all the rest is history' but sadly she doesn't even remember that particular night.
The second reason I remember that experience was because of how welcome it made me feel. They talked to me in the car park, sat with me during the service, explained things I didn't understand and then introduced me to others after the service.
The impact was profound. These people really seemed like they were glad that I was there and they were keen to include me in their community.
This year as we seek to 'be part of someone's story' a key opportunity we have every week is how we welcome those who visit our church. Does the way we greet them, speak to them, care for them and share with them communicate that we're glad they came and we'd love to welcome them into our church whanau?
Visiting a new church for the first time is a scary experience. They've been brave to just turn up! The least we can do is make them feel welcome!
And we want to welcome them in because that what Jesus has done for us.
Even though we were sinners far from God, he welcomed us into his family. Made us his brothers and sisters. Shares with us his inheritance as we are co-heirs with him.
As Paul writes in Ephesians 2,
"Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ."
How great it would be to be part of someone's story simply by welcoming them into our church whanau?
Grace & peace,
Andrew
eNews - 23rd March 2023