Ministers Desk 23rd October 2011

Many churches and people within churches think that when we are talking about welcoming new people, that we are only talking about the warmth and extent of the greeting that we give them in our worship services.  A warm welcome, that expresses genuine interest in a guest is essential.  However, it is only the first stage to helping a person move from being a guest to a member. 

The bible talks about the church as a network of relationships.  Images such as a body, a building, a family all indicate that we are meant for connections with each other.  We are not able to be Christ’s church unless we are seeking to build healthy relationships with people who are new to our congregation. 

Within our congregation we have many opportunities to develop and build these relationships.  Our fellowship and small groups are places where people can participate in the life of our congregation and get to know others far better than the rushed and crowded times on Sunday morning or evening.  There is no group that takes place in this congregation that is not open to all people.  Certainly, new members of the group have to respect the purpose of the group and adjust to the culture and norms of the group.  Equally so, we as existing members need to be open and accommodating, eager to include and incorporate new members.

What responsibility do you take to invite people to your fellowship or small group?  The onus is on each one of us to be people who offer invitations to new comers to join our groups.  We cannot assume that people will naturally gravitate to our groups, nor that others will do the inviting.  I have written in recent weeks that simply by walking into our front doors that our guests have already gone to significant lengths to build relationships with us.  Once they have taken that step it is up to us to meet them, and assist them to feel and know that they are part of this congregation.

It is not difficult to invite someone to a group.  A polite, genuine invitation provides the opportunity for the guest to accept or decline.  A positive response to the invitation can be encouraged by describing the group, being excited about the group and the invitation, and offering to escort them into the group.  We can improve their experience of the group by acting as their host, introducing them to others, helping them understand what is happening and ensuring that they always have someone to talk to.

The outcomes of making this invitations are very worthwhile.  Guests will feel included, new members will be added to our group.  People will be able to express their gifts and release the potential that God has for them.  Our proposed purpose (Growing Disciples who Exalt, Explore, Embody, Engage) envisages a time when each Christ follower is experiencing ongoing growth and maturity in their spiritual life.  For those who are new to our congregation, this can happen as they experience a warm welcome and are intentionally included into the life and activities of our congregation.