Be Wary of the Virus, but Don’t Treat People Like a Virus
For ten years I worked next door to a school and I can confirm that the first day of each school year is a great day. Every year a new batch of Kindergarten children rolled up looking clean, excited and thoroughly confused. They enter the school, beginning their education journey and as they do, there are systems upon systems to make sure they have an easy entry and get to know the school inside out.
Mum and dad take the kids to their classrooms and they meet their teacher. Then their teacher shows them around the classroom and the playground. They are taken to the toilet, the library and the office. They meet the staff they need to know. They then meet their Year 6 buddy who helps them become oriented to playground rules, to find some friends and helps them if they are lost or confused. Every day there is an opportunity to ask questions and find answers.
Nothing is left to chance. Everyone is involved. Everything is explained by teachers and students every step of the way so that the new kids feel connected and loved from day one. And it is all done with a smile and a helping hand.
Wouldn't it be great if we could be certain that every newcomer in our church had the same experience?
Newcomers are just like Kindergarten kids—they generally know nothing about our church, our culture or our people. They may or may not know Jesus.
Wouldn't it be great if the newcomer had everything explained to them? Wouldn't it be great if they were helped along every step of the way? Wouldn’t it be great if they felt connected and loved from day one?
I have visited a lot of churches and I have had the full range of newcomer experiences, from being treated like a virus, to being treated as a king. Sadly I have heard stories that even in our church, sometimes people can be treated like viruses.
So what can we do? Here are 4 tips for you as we return to church together:
Smile at people, say hi and introduce yourself to those sitting near you.
Not just those you know but those you feel you should know. And those you don’t know. Start a conversation. You can practice this at home in front of the mirror—check your smile and check you can say hi.
Smile at people you don’t know and ask them, “have you been coming here long?”
If they are new they will be very thankful for the chat. If they have been coming 45 years they will be gracious and show you some love. (If you have been coming for 45 years, be gracious and show people some love!)
Smile at people after the service and if you are near people you don’t know or don’t know well, introduce them to people you do know.
Don’t drop newcomers off at a staff member, they are more likely to come again if church members are hospitable and friendly than if they just meet helpful and informative staff.
Smile at people and when you’re ready, engage in some unfussy hospitality.
This week, I found a great article from The Gospel Coalition that encouraging us to think beyond the three course lunch in our perfectly manicured home with our wondrously adorned family. Why not invite some people you do know with some you don’t to a park, a coffee shop or a simple meal at home? May we never underestimate how new people or people we half know can be blessed by our listening ears and a warm bowl of canned soup!
So here we go, we are about to get back to church together. How will you welcome the new kids? How will you welcome the kids who have been around a while? How do you want to be welcomed?
