In an article from a few years ago, a Lutheran pastor in Colorado, Rob Moss, wrote that his church had decided to quit being welcoming. He said that “like so many congregations, we’ve sunk an amazing amount of time and energy into becoming a welcoming church. We changed worship styles, trained greeters and ushers, wore name tags, brewed coffee, went to workshops on hospitality and put our friendliest people in the most prominent places on Sunday mornings.” Pastor Moss realized that his congregation had been misplacing their emphasis. He was clear to say that welcoming is not wrong, and should in fact be done, but that simply being welcoming—at least from a missional perspective—is passive. It denotes waiting for visitors and guests to drop by, and that alone does not cut it. It may once have been enough, but not anymore.
It’s because, you see, inviting is different. Inviting is active. Being an inviting church means that we leave the comfort of Sunday morning worship and seek out our neighbors. Being an inviting church starts with who God—in the person of Jesus Christ—has called us to be as church and mandates our joining God already at work in the world.
Still—I get it. Being invitational and welcoming seems to ask more of us—more with which we may be comfortable. For many, it’s too much like evangelism. But, let’s think about this. Let’s think about the people around us—people we may know. What if God has been preparing their heart, and has been waiting for someone to invite them? What if they’re hurting and find healing at our church? What if it changes their life for the better? What if they experience authentic community and love for the first time? What if our church renews their once dead faith in Christ? What if they find hope they never dreamed of hoping for? Two things:
First, being welcoming and inviting is not just a good idea. I mean, it’s actually a great idea, but it’s not about growing our church, and it’s certainly not about survival. It simply can’t be. I’ve often asked myself: If it’s simply about numbers or survival, what does that say about us? Look, if what we do isn’t solely about glorifying God, about willing and working for his good pleasure, about making disciples, and about doing our part in helping make the Kingdom of God a reality, do we even deserve to survive? Churches close every day, about 4,000 per year, It happens, and it’s not the worst thing that can happen to a church. What do I mean?
Well, as I’ve said repeatedly, and here’s the second thing: It’s about faithfulness. It’s about loving God, and neighbor in equal measure. It’s about loving one another as Christ himself commanded us, no matter who they might be. It’s about loving everyone. It’s about loving them in spite of the way they walk, talk, or dress. It’s about loving them regardless of skin color, gender or sexual orientation, political affiliation—whatever. It’s about loving them the way that God loves them.
Brothers and sisters, God wants to use us. It’s often through a simple invitation, and a warm, sincere welcome, showing genuine interest in the person or people that find us. It’s about establishing new relationships, while strengthening old ones. It’s about forming partnerships that serve the community, and taking advantage of the opportunities to serve, especially those whom Christ called “the least of these.” If we do our part, I believe with every fiber of my being, that God will do his part. God will provide opportunities for us, and God will give the growth. We just have to plant the seed.