Not every week, but at least twice a month we open the sermon time with the following saying. I have it put on the screen and TVs so we can all say it together:
WE’RE GLAD YOU ARE HERE!
If you are happy we want to celebrate with you.
If you are tired and need rest;
If you are hurting and need comfort;
If you have failed, feel guilt and shame and wonder if God still loves you;
If you feel you are at the end of your rope and need a lifeline;
If you think you are too great a sinner and feel hopeless;
If you are here but can’t raise your eyes, head, or hands in worship…
That’s okay. We want this to be a place where you find strength to go on. Let us pray for you, stand beside you and even carry you to God’s throne where you can find new hope.
I firmly believe this should be what every church says to every person who walks through their doors on a Sunday morning. In fact, it would be a great thing if the church was known for this every day of the week. People will know we are Christ-followers not by our religious sounding words, our American Idol Sunday morning productions, our promise of prosperity, or fancy buildings. They will know we are Christ-followers by our love. That is exactly what Jesus said in John 13:34-35: “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each others. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (NLT) Love each other. I see no qualifiers there. I see no “be like this or don’t be like this” in those words. We are to simply love. Nothing more; nothing less.
To love like this is the church being the church. It is also the church being like Jesus. What are you doing to make this happen?
Dick and I have found a church that meets the criteria you list here. We visited three other churches before finding this one. The people in this congregation go out of their way to welcome you and then contact you each week to see how you are doing and to ask if there is anything you would like prayer for. You immediately feel loved and accepted—and it’s not just lip service. We are so blessed!
That is fantastic Pam! Even though Dick is not in the professional ministry any longer, you all still need fed and loved. I’m glad for you both.
This is exactly the same message our pastor had for us yesterday, Bill. Do great minds think alike? I’d say a resounding “Yes”! Thanks for this reminder on a Monday.
Blessings!
I suspect his mind is greater than mine! 🙂 Glad others have this message. Tell him to read Feels Like Home by Lee Eclov.
When the “church” closes its doors to the hurt, the broken, the weary, the guilty, the shamed and the hopeless… It has already stopped being the church and has become a members only country club. I don’t have time in my life for that… Period.
Straight and to the point Ryan and absolutely 100% true!
I have been studying Acts and Paul’s letters, the early church made taken care of people in the community a top priority. Even to the point of selling everything to do it. I think it’s easy to default to I don’t what to do, then nothing gets done. You are right there are no qualifiers in love one another. So first thing is to make yourself available to be a good listener, give encouraging uplifting words. I believe instead of telling someone you will pray for them, pray for them right then. I think it has a more powerful impact and it shows love in action instead of passive love. Whenever you can help, help do what you can. My dad always said no one will ask you for help when it’s convenient, but being there for someone else is the biggest act of love, and makes us the most like Jesus.
You give some good advice Gail. Making ourselves available as a good listener is crucial. I think your point about praying for someone right then and there is big as well. it is way too easy to say, “I will pray for you and then forget.”
Wow. What a warm welcome, Bill.
Can I use this sometime with full attribution to you and your church?
This is what people are yearning for … but most of them haven’t actually seen it put into words.
Bless you.
Thank you Linda. For transparency, I saw something similar but decided to write one that fit my/our approach. But you may use it and I am not even concerned with full attribution. I just want to see the church embrace an approach that welcomes people instead of making them feel guilt and shame and condemnation. I am not the judge; Jesus is. I am a way for them to hear about Him and they can’t hear Him or meet Him if I am in the way.
Pastor Bill there is a reality I like to use from a personal perspective. We all walked off the Ark together as fathers, mothers and brothers and sisters. This was God’s work and it was perfect. We have lost this concept through sin and the perfect plan by God is being corrupted by the prince of the world. Through faith and prayer we can overcome.
Agreed. And the church should be the place where that is found and observed.