Have you ever been to a church where you sat through the service and then left feeling you were not welcome – because nobody took the time to speak to you? I’ve been to some churches like that. Sadly churches like this stick in the memory.
I’ve also been to others when they have welcomed me with smiles and friendly conversations. I remember those churches too – for far different reasons.
Recently I was talking to a young woman. Part of her job involves going around to various churches telling them about the work she is doing in teaching the Bible to students in schools. She is usually interviewed by the minister about her work and asked for any points people can pray about or ways they can support her. Sadly one of the very basic areas where they could support her is being neglected.
Even though she stays around after the service so people can talk to her or ask her questions about her work, too often she is left standing alone and people make no effort to engage her in conversation. Interestingly it seems more of an age group problem. She is in her mid 20s and finds mostly people in the 35-55 age group show most friendliness and make an effort to make her feel welcome. Often the older members of the congregation make no effort. Surprisingly, neither do the people around her own age.
Another young woman I know went through a similar experience. For months she attended a church and though the teaching was good, she found it extremely unfriendly. People did not take the time to talk and to get to know her. What a sad indictment on our churches if people can walk out feeling they may as well been invisible.
Our church has a small group of people who are designated welcomers who greet each person at the door. However it does not rely solely on these welcomers to do the job but on each person in the congregation. Apart from the strong emphasis on biblical teaching, one of the other positives when we were looking for a church was the welcome we received. I’d like to think it is also one of the reasons that along with biblical teaching and great music, keeps people coming back to our church.
How about your church? Is it a welcoming church? Or a people left sitting or standing on their own while you talk to your friends?
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