This morning while studying in a coffee shop, I got into a conversation with a guy sitting next to me about church. He was a follower of Jesus, but had some hang-ups with church and previous experiences. Let me say that he was not a young guy but a middle-aged guy , so he’s not one of those “I’m sick of the church” young adults. He is actively involved in a solid church in the area.
One of the things that he mentioned that had frustrated him about churches, especially in the greater Milwaukee area, was that he has never felt overly welcomed and loved from the moment that he has arrived. Instead, he has often felt more like people in the churches were asking him why he was there, like he was under the microscope as a newcomer.
Now, I know that many churches strive to be welcoming places, but do not always succeed. So, after talking with this guy, I couldn’t help but ask a series of questions about churches in general, and my church more specifically:
- Are we radically welcoming?
- Do we help people feel loved from the moment they enter our parking lots to the moment they enter our worship center or get to classrooms?
- How do we go out of our way to greet new people and ask them questions about their lives?
- How good are we at making it clear how people take next steps to find their place at our church?
I would love to hear from you about how you are answering those questions at your church, but also what your experiences have been – whether positive or negative – of going to a church for the first few times.
I sure hope that we can bridge the gaps and become radically welcoming communities.
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Matthew Erickson 
Good topic. I think it is wise to be nice and welcoming, but avoid too many questions early. Most of the time, folks will talk when they feel comfortable. Too soon and you may appear pushy.
Thanks for the reply and first visit to my blog. I agree that kindness and a smile can just be enough the first time someone visits church. We definitely don’t want to freak people out, so taking it easy can be a good first step.
Stop by the blog again sometime!
.I have found that the training of community based organizations has been a good place to start. You learn how to listen. It’s based on prophectic imagination. If we truly get to know people in our community and what is of concern to them you can begin as a church to re-imagine how to offer support. We have been active as a supporter of Community based organizing but we have not transferred that learning to becoming a radically welcoming congretation.