Important note for Christians in the church, especially church leaders

This accompanies the universal church invite, linked below.


Sometimes, even though a church is welcoming with their front door greeters and fliers and what-have-you, there can still be an illusion. If a newcomer isn't greeted and engaged in a personal way, they can find it difficult to get involved and so not come back. (To define "personal way," contrast someone striking up a conversation to being just welcomed by a person who is always at the door.)

I don't really know much beyond that. I would imagine that to do the best we can, it would require using personal judgement of how much is necessary to be on the safe side. That is, what do you know about your local community? What will they respond to? Is there something special about them? Or are they just the general picture of your average person, who will be satisfied by nice people, someone striking up a casual conversation that includes both introducing your church and learning about them, and hearing about upcoming events? 

Also, it could depend on the signs every visitor displays. For example, if they are quieter, you may want to just have there be front door greeters and have someone strike up a little conversation. If someone is more social, they could have a longer conversation and be encouraged to attend an event.

Here is a prayer request that can be used to accompany sharing the handouts: "God, please help more and more people come to know You through whatever resources You will use. Please help Christians who need to start going to church to do so. Please help us all, as the body of Christ, to actively be a loving witness for Christ."

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