Visiting a new church can be an intimidating experience. As a guest, you’re walking into established congregations, where people are already friends and a close-knit community. Some people searching for a new church home are going through trauma like divorce, the death of a spouse, or a life change such as a move or job transition that is causing them to need a new spot to worship. The least we can do as members of the church is make them welcome and wanted in ways that don’t create awkward situations.
For example, you probably shouldn’t lead with 2 Corinthians 13:12 (ESV), which says to “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” Ha!
But we can act upon Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV) “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
The last thing we want to do is run someone off before they get a true feel for the body of believers. So how do we, instead, find ways to show kindness, compassionate hearts, patience, and love like Colossians instructs us?
Here are seven less awkward ways to make church visitors feel welcome:
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