From the Pastor – June 2024
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
Psalm 96:3
I had a fascinating experience this week that I would like to share with you. It’s really the second time this kind of thing has happened in a couple of months. We have been getting plenty of visitors at our youth group. Some come and have been at church functions here or elsewhere before. For others, it’s their first church experience ever. We do have lots of young people come for the first time. The reason for this is partly because we have a church member that keeps us well plied with candy. We give a candy bar to every new person when they visit and the youth group member that did the inviting. It has been a strong motivator!
It is wonderful to see new people! The fact that we have visitors means that lots of good things are happening. We are making new connections. It means we are doing fun and meaningful things. All of this tells us right things are happening with our young people as they grow in faith.
This also gives us an fascinating opportunity. It also helps us see our program and relationships through the eyes of other people, if we have the patience to notice. And, by doing so, we can consider, with a little more empathy and objectivity, how we are shining God’s light and ministering in God’s name. Or, as the Psalmist says, “declaring his glory among the nations.”
For one of our visitors, it was his first time in the church. It may have been his first time in any church. You have to admire the courage it takes for a young person to go to a new place that he knows nothing about! As he entered the room, he had hesitation on his face and concern in his voice. He stood by the wall and asked, “Where am I?” and “What is this place?” He had every appearance of being ill at ease… at first. Then, your youth group worked its magic.
At first I was surprised! We care about people! We are welcoming! And, as I said before, we are fun! What’s the dealio? What was so threatening about coming to our church? That is when I remembered that I look at our church through the eyes of someone who has been here, met these people, and have experienced their loving kindness. He is giving me a peek at what it looks like to be a stranger in our company. In doing so, his face reflects a lot about who we are and what we do.
We people of faith have our own language and culture. These things have grown and changed for several thousand years. They have been informed by countless languages, cultures, and groups. We pride ourselves at being “in the world but not of the world.” So, we may well look and sound very foreign to visitors. This is important to remember when we consider how we reach out. How we welcome. How we make new friends. It is important to consider the experience from their perspective. And, when we do so, we can make the whole experience more welcoming for the next person.
We have important things to share. The Love that comes from God is a very compelling gift. It is of utmost importance to share this message in a way that it is best heard! Each generation is tasked with declaring his glory among the nations and his marvelous deeds among all peoples. Each generation works to make the message heard in the way it will be best heard.
So, when we see new people at church, think about the experience from their perspective. Help make the experience positive. And, by all means, invite your friends and neighbors to church. Some of the best parts of life begin inside these doors, then continue out in the world.
Peace,
Jim