FRIENDLY OR WELCOMING?
Romans 12:9-21
Gary R. Becker, Executive Director BBM
One of my favorite preachers, Ray Stedman began a message on Romans 12 with a story about a man who notices a storefront with a book title “How to Hug.” Going into the store he is expecting to find a “how to” book, but instead he finds out it is an encyclopedia on the word “hug.” Stedman then goes on to say, “I have often thought, as I think of that story, that the church is like that. Everyone knows that the church is a place where love ought to be manifested, and many people have come to church hoping to find a demonstration of love, only to discover an encyclopedia on theology.”
Many of us have seen or heard stories or even experienced coming into a church for the first time. Let me give two examples. The first one is a great example. A couple is drawn or invited to come to a church. Upon arriving in the parking lot, someone is there welcoming them and offering directions to the worship center doors. There is a welcoming disk with non-threatening people as they enter the foyer. One couple even offers to sit with them. After the service, the visiting couple is invited to have a coffee and is introduced to other people. The couple leaves church and decides they do not keep looking for a church, they have found one.
Another example is a couple who have little church background but decide to come to explore the idea of going to church. Arriving they find no visitor parking and have to park in the way back section of the parking area. No one is out there to give them any directions. There is a greeter at the door that makes no effort to give them directions or start a conversation. They wanted to use the bathroom before the service but could not find it. In the service they are asked to stand and introduce themselves which embarrassed them. They left the service and only were greeted by two or three people standing at the doors.
Most churches consider themselves “friendly.” The unfortunate thing is we think friendliness is about “greeting” people and inviting them to come back.
We need to move beyond simply being “friendly” to becoming “welcoming.” Romans 12 gives some keys [commands] to becoming welcoming. A key point for this series is to show hospitality (Romans 12:13). I would suggest that being “welcoming” is showing hospitality. The scriptural word “Hospitality” is defined as “welcoming strangers.” The context of Romans 12 is essential to understanding what it means to be welcoming.
The context of this chapter can be briefly described in four points. (1) Presenting yourself to Lord (Romans 12:1-2). We need to be fully submitted to the Lord to be truly welcoming of others as God has created and gifted them. (2) The grace of God gives us the understanding we need (Romans 12:3). The expression of understanding grace is our humility. A welcoming church demonstrates God’s grace without “thinking more highly” than we aught. (3) Unity recognizes we are one body (Romans 12:4-5). A welcoming church must demonstrate an understanding that is accepting. (4) Diversity of spiritual gifts emphasizes our need for one another (Romans 12:6-8). A welcoming church is one that is open to people coming and using their gifts.
Welcoming churches are ready and willing to show hospitality that goes beyond adding people to the membership.
(This series of posts are influenced by Thom Rainer’s book “Becoming a Welcoming Church.” These posts are also a result of a series of messages at a church we are re-planting.)
The next several posts will demonstrate how the context is expressed in a welcoming church.
You can hear the message series at ww.cotobile.org (About – Sermons).