You can make someone feel like they belong!
What to do with someone new?
In light of “Back to Church” Sunday, that’s coming up this month on September 15, I want to share some ideas to encourage you on how to respond when you realize there is someone new in your church service.
You would think that we all know how to respond to a guest in our service, but the truth is that we aren’t as gifted at this as we think. Most churches would say, “We are a friendly church!” But while it’s true that we are very friendly with those we know, we are probably not as friendly as we believe to those we don’t know or those who are NEW to our church. One thing to remember is that people aren’t just looking for a “friendly church.” They are looking for “friends” at church. Be that friend to someone this week.
Here are some quick hits for you on this topic.
Someone sitting alone in your church service is an emergency.
In our world today, people need relationships more than ever. Even with our technological advances in communication these days, we are a lonely society. Be alert to those around you in church. Make the first move to meet them and take a personal interest in them. You might make a new friend, and you just might be the lifeline that they need to take the next step toward Jesus Christ.
Close friends can wait.
It’s such a blessing to get to see all of our friends at church. And that’s really my point this month. Friendships and relationships are important, but the moment our circle of friends closes, or we begin to exclude someone new from our circle of friends, we’ve stepped out of what God wants for us. Make room for someone new, they may soon be a brother or sister in Christ!
Introduce them to someone else in the service.
Finally, don’t just shake a hand and move on, spend some time getting to know a new person and even introduce them to someone else in the service. Beyond that, sit with them, show them around, or invite them to sit with you and your friends. If you’re really feeling “holy” that day, invite them to lunch after church and get to know them.
I want to encourage you to be on the lookout for those who are new in your service or seem to be lonely in your church. Everyone wants to BELONG somewhere, and if we can help them to belong in the family of God, then we’ve done more than just make a new friend; we’ve been a part of changing their eternal future.
You are loved…love others!