Welcoming Guests

Weekly Update – November 20th, 2025 

By God’s grace, we have new faces walk through our doors on a regular basis. Some are repeat guests, and others try for a Sunday and then we may see them again in the future, but either way, our church always has a number of new people come through its doors.  In the New Testament we see a command given to Christians to show hospitality towards others.  Hospitality literally means “welcoming strangers.”  It is given as a qualification to elders (Titus 1:8; 1 Tim. 3:2) and it is given to everyone as an implication of the gospel (Rom. 15:7).  Therefore, as we think about those who walk through our doors and how we should best welcome them, let me give you 5 ways that we should begin to show hospitality towards guests.

First, pray.  Nothing of any significance will occur in our church apart from prayer.  As bold as that might sound, it is true.  If we want all that we do to be for the kingdom of God and not the kingdom of this world, then we ought to be a people of prayer.  I challenge you to pray for our church.  Pray especially for our Sunday morning gatherings.  Pray for those who will be present.  Pray for me, our worship team, our Equipping hour/Sunday school teachers, etc.  Pray for those who you will sit next to and for all who might visit with us.  Pray for every aspect of our gathering, from the message, to those who greet, and even to the conversations that might occur in the hallways.

Second, keep your eyes open.  Typically, our natural inclination is to look out for ourselves.  We might be running late, so we rush into Equipping hour or to service, find a seat and sit down.  Or, the service runs a few minutes over and we are hungry, so we get out and get to our restaurant or home as soon as we are able so that we can eat.  Instead, keep your eyes open.  Be aware of those who are around you.  Be intentional to look for visitors who might be present.

Third, say hello.  Praying for others and being aware of others are two things that might be easy to do.  But I want to challenge you to take one step further.  For that visitor that you have noticed and prayed for, now go over to them and say “hello.”  Now saying hello might entail a bit of conversation, but the effects of that first conversation could potentially be significant.  Consider that the guest you say hello to might be encouraged to talk back with you, then they might come to Equipping hour with you, then perhaps pray with you and from there, and even link arms with you in your Christian walk.  We don’t know the implications of what might occur just from being willing to step out of our comfort zones and engage someone new in conversation.

Fourth, offer to help.  As good as it is to be aware of guests and to say hello, a further step would be to help them.  It may seem like second nature knowing where the restrooms are or where the nursery is, but those here for the first time likely have no idea where anything is.  Offer to guide a guest to a seat for service, walk with them to an Equipping class, take their kids to the nursery with them, or even get them a bulletin.  Quite often it is the simple things that help others feel welcomed.

Lastly, ask them to connect.  Nothing tells a guest that you value them more than asking them to connect further.  Even more, nothing is more hospitable than giving up yourself to know and love others.  So then, invite them to lunch after church; if they attend Equipping hour, send them a note the next week; look for similar interests, then build upon opportunities from there.  Go beyond the greeting time and friendly pleasantries and look to be a friend.

Hearts that are transformed and are continually being transformed are hearts that are not self-seeking but that are others-seeking.  This is in line with the example of Christ, who counted others more significant than himself (Phil. 2:3).  That means that being hospitable is more than following a command or a guideline from the New Testament.  It is a way of life for those who know and seek to imitate Christ.  Let us then make the most of every opportunity to love our fellow church members, but to also show hospitality towards all who walk through our doors.     

Serving Him with You,

Pastor Michael Nelson