18 Jun JUNE 2018 – Everybody Welcome
WELCOME is a key strand of our Vision and Strategy.
Why welcome?
Most churches think they are friendly because church members are friendly to each other but how might this look to an outsider, someone new to our church or visiting? Would you spot if you were sat next to somebody new? What would you tell them? Would you be able to point them towards some useful information about things going on in and around our Parish? Welcoming is a ministry not just for the clergy or other leaders but for every member of our church. We can all get better at welcome!
Welcome is central to how the church fulfills Jesus great commission – ‘Go and
make disciples of all nations’ Matthew 28:19.
Week 1
God’s heart for Welcome – Helping people discover the church’s existence and character .
Do people know where our church is?
How do we connect with the local community?
How might we make ourselves more visible?
Have you ever invited a friend to join you in church?
All the believers were together and had everything in common.’ Acts 2 :44
Week 2
Welcome means Action – Giving people a good experience of the church PREMISES
How do our church buildings look to a newcomer?
What might they notice that we don’t see because it’s all so familiar?
How might you feel as a newcomer to our church today?
Is there provision for people with additional needs?
‘The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them’ Matthew 21:14
Week 3
Welcome without Favouritism – Giving people a good experience of the church PEOPLE
Will newcomers be attracted to and engaged by the life and vibrancy of our worshipping community?
Did you ‘welcome’ anybody to our church recently?
Does our worship inspire life and energy and vibrant community?
If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? James 2:3-4
Week 4
Everybody Belongs – Helping newcomers belong to the church community and start contributing to it
How does a newcomer become a member?
Do we ‘attend’ or ‘belong’?
What does belonging look like?
What opportunities are there for spiritual growth?
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household. Ephesians 2:19