Congregations are families. The longer that they are together, usually the harder it is to let other people become part of the inner circle of the church. And yet, we know that – just as we are to be hospitable as families – we are also called to be hospitable as groups of believers. The writer of Hebrews puts it in really interesting terms: Be hospitable, because by doing this, there are folks that have actually hosted angels without even knowing it. I think that is so very cool. I mean, think about meeting the angels when we get to heaven. Wouldn’t it be just absolutely awesome to hear one of these heavenly beings say to us: “You know, I was in your church one Sunday. It was really nice the way that you welcomed me and made feel at home among you.”
Sofi and I have been connected to a Lutheran congregation in some way for quite a number of years. Just prior to coming to Our Redeemer, my call was to Concordia Seminary. So when Sofi and I got to Saint Louis, we went out church hunting. For the first time in quite a few years, we went out to find a church not based on our connection to the church as the pastoral family – but rather as visitors off the street. We were not looking for anything fancy, simply looking for a place where we could worship and serve. This experience of finding a church proved to be eye opening.
The first place that we visited was a nice. The worship services were ok; the preaching was ok; and the people were outwardly friendly. We visited this church a number of times. The worshipping community was not too large – 80 people or so in two worship services. Folks in that congregation had known each other for a long time. They were friendly to people who visited – and yet, it was also clear, very clear, that it would take a long time for any visitor to become a part of the inner circle of this church.
The second church that we visited had a bit larger attendance – about the size of ORLC. The services were all traditional and the preaching very dynamic. This could have been our church, but again, the impression was that this group of people had known each other for a long time. There were a few folks assigned greeter duties but beyond that, we came and went with very few people even thinking about saying hi or introducing themselves. So the impression was that the church was quite insular – not too interested in outside influences. We came and went with almost nary a greeting or goodbye.
The third church that we visited was friendly - lots of nice folks who did their best to be welcoming. The church invited people to greet each other before the start of worship – much like what happens here. The pastor was a very nice guy – a good preacher. We actually liked this congregation. So we had our membership transferred there. I spoke to the pastor a number of times and asked how we could serve. Nothing happened. After about one and one-half years, I was asked to become involved, but by then, we had settled into getting up on Sunday, going to church, spending a bit of time in fellowship – and then going home. It was hard to carve out the time to be involved after so much time of nothing! Although outwardly friendly – it was clear that even in this nice community of believers there were circles of acceptance: those that had been there for a long time who were the movers and shakers and decision makers; and those in the outer circle of fellowship who would find it hard to serve or be asked to lead an effort in the church. We probably remained there mostly because we wanted a place to worship, to bring our offerings to and hear the words of forgiveness spoken to us.
Come to find out, that is just the way that things really are in many congregations. One of the gurus that studies churches writes that there are two circles of fellowship at every congregation. There is a large outer circle that includes all people who are members of the church. Then there is an inner circle of folks – this is where most of the leaders of the congregation come from - that comprises those who are fully accepted and wired into the fellowship. In fact, one well-respected church guru believes that one-third to one-half of most church members have never felt that they have been accepted into this inner circle of fellowship. (Lyle Schaller, in Assimilating New Members)
How do you think we at ORLC fare? Do you think that one-third to one-half of the folks in this congregation really don’t feel a sense of belonging - like they aren’t connected? And now, let’s take this one step further: if among long time members up to half the congregation may feel no sense of belonging – think about guests who may come through our doors to visit. Let me make it more personal: If Sofi and I had come to this place – not as the pastoral family – but as simply people coming in to visit the congregation, how long do you think it would have taken to have put me to work within the congregation? Be realistic as you contemplate this question.
We need to be aware of certain things if we are to honor the Biblical notion of hospitality. Biblical Hospitality requires a change in attitude. Many times guests come and go from congregations without even being noticed. But what Biblical hospitality requires of us is to view every guest that comes through our doors as a blessing and wonderful gift from God! To do this, we need to be prepared! And we can’t simply say that hospitality is the pastor’s job or the Evangelism Board’s job because hospitality is everyone’s responsibility!
When a person first visits our church, everything speaks to the first-time guest. They notice every aspect of the community of faith. We need to be aware that hospitality begins in the parking lot and continues through the week in follow up communication. Most church scholars say that a first-time guest will make up his / her mind about coming back to the church in the first seven minutes, so the first impression is very important. During that time, the first time guest needs to be: Greeted, Directed, Treated, and Seated.
It is important for the first-time guest to be met and welcomed with a handshake and a smile. We can all do this. A first-time guest is going to feel a bit uncomfortable in the new surroundings. Even though we are comfortable with each other – to the first-time guest, they have just walked into a room full of strangers. It is important that we show them where things are. The new signage and beautiful mural in the narthex have been put there to make it easier for a first-time guest to feel welcomed and so that they can easily find important facilities in the church building. It’s also important to put a cup of coffee in the hands of a visitor. It’s amazing how a little cup of coffee or a donut in a napkin can provide security for a person that feels a bit out of place. Finally, it is important to help the person find a comfortable place in the sanctuary prior to worship. And it goes without saying that we – as God’s people – never, I mean never, go to a person and ask them to move because they are sitting in our pew.
The goal for all of this work and preparation is very simple. We are trying to get that first time guest to come back a second time. Then we work hard to keep that second-time guest coming back on a regular basis. The goal is to get them to become fully-fledged members of the congregation. We need to keep in mind the three R’s as we work people through this process, because it is actually quite easy to loose people in the gaps between each of these important points in our hospitality process. So when the first-time guests walk through our doors, the goal is to earn Return visits from them. When next we see these guests, we strive to get them to build meaningful Relationships with people in the congregation. Finally, when the guests are connected to people and are attending regularly, we work to provide these folks meaningful Responsibilities. (Nelson Searcy in the book, Fusion)
In summary, let me just share a few closing thoughts with you. In order for us to help people move from the outer circle of fellowship to the inner circle, it is important for us to help and encourage people in a number of different ways: In order to help people become part of the inner circle, it is important to help and encourage people to, 1) develop friendships with people in the church. 2) We need to find ways to get first time-guests to become involved in the activities of the congregation. 3) It is important to help our guests to feel like they belong and are an important part of the community. 4) We need to find a way to help our guests work together with the other members of the church. Finally, 5) the church needs to focus on getting people to grow in their faith. (Gary McIntosh and Glen Martin in the book: Finding Them, Keeping Them)
As we consider these thoughts, I want us to focus on this important reality. Saint Paul tells the Ephesian believers that at one time, they too were foreigners, strangers to the love of God. So were we, beloved. But God’s hospitality is so incredibly huge. He opened the doors to heaven wide open through the Cross of his Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. He’s dressed us in the righteousness of Christ through the forgiveness that Jesus pours out on us! And we’ve been invited to the heavenly banquet as more than guests – yes, even as God’s dear children! Now that’s hospitality. May we be conduits of that hospitality here! Amen.
