Romans 15:7 says, “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” One of the greatest ways to measure a church’s health is by how it welcomes new people. I was reminded of this fact last week when a new member shared his recent experience. When visiting ABC for the first time, he was shocked to have a church member not only notice him, but then proceed to welcome him directly.
Sometimes in life, these smallest gestures can make the biggest kingdom impact. Another new member recently told me he was amazed when he returned for a second week with his family, and he noticed the ABC Kids staff already remembered his children’s names. Another member told me she was so surprised to find a handwritten note in her mailbox after visiting a Bible Fellowship Group for the first time.
I encourage you church family to remain steadfast in this kind of intentionality. As our church continues to grow larger, we must also become smaller. We must focus on individual relationships and help new people find community in our church family. We do this programmatically through our onramps of Bible Fellowship Groups and Midweek, but we do this personally through the intentional efforts of faithful church members.
As God continues to bring new faces through our doors every Sunday, may we never get complacent in welcoming each of them. I encourage you to meet three people you do not know this Sunday. This small gesture will not only bless you, but it has the potential to bless someone who may feel unseen. May we continue to be a welcoming church for all who enter our doors. Through this kind of effort, a big church can begin to feel like a small town.
I look forward to continuing our series on the Holy Spirit this Sunday. Invite a friend and I’ll see you at 8:45am or 11:15am.
Onward and upward,
Jonathan Spencer
www.jonathanspencer.org 