Build Community 3

Deuteronomy 10:18-19

One of my worst experiences was when I first began working as an editor at a newspaper. It took me a while to learn the ropes and really become comfortable in what I was doing. But I felt the other editors were a bit snobbish and impatient with me. They had very little tolerance for my mistakes in those first few weeks.

I said nothing about it but applied myself even harder until I could at last do my job as well as they did. But I did think that it was unfair of those other editors. There must have been a time when they were new to the job. Didn’t they have to learn as they went too?

Deuteronomy has some instruction for the followers of God. What does God do? What are the faithful to do? What should the faithful remember?

It is very easy to look down on the people who are not devout Christians. We can consider the non-believer, the non-member to be ignorant and foolish. We may even think of them as somewhat corrupt and evil. We know the truth about holy living; why don’t they?

But before we get too comfortable in our smug attitude and self-righteous opinion, we must first remember that we are commanded by God to love the aliens – those people who are not part of our faith community. We are to care for the outsider – the stranger, the visitor – in the same way and for the same reason that God does. God welcomes the stranger. God loves the alien.

We must remember that the faith and knowledge we hold now has not always been with us. Some of us have come to Jesus later in life, turning away from a life of sin or at least a life of lukewarm faith. Some of us have been believers since birth but, honestly, has your faith always been as deep and strong as it is today?

We all have times of doubt. We all have times when our faith in God seems to wane or falter. Even if we think of ourselves as firm in our faith we certainly encounter times when living out the love of God is a frightening proposition.

We need to keep this in mind as we deal with the new believer or the visitor. Our faith community should not be a community of judgment and snobbery. We should be welcoming and loving to all, remembering that at one time or another we are all less than perfect.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can remind you that you need to be more welcoming?

Build Community 2

1 John 4:18

The fear of the unknown can be a powerful force. Most people are not always comfortable going places they are not familiar with or meeting total strangers. We are much more comfortable with what we know and who we know. The idea of perfect strangers coming into our lives can really raise some fears.

The writer John continues in his letter to new believers by addressing the fear of the unknown. What does he say about fear and love? What does love do?

As we look at the all too common experience of declining attendance in churches throughout the nation, most church members are confronted with a dilemma. If we stay the way we are, wrapped in our comfortable habits and traditions, surrounded by only the comfortable familiar, we will soon die off as a church. If we seek out new members and new believers then we are faced with encountering strangers, people we do not know. And this can cause fear.

But we must remember why we are doing what we are doing. We should exist as a church to be the manifestation – the real and tangible presence – of the love of God. We should be the expression of God’s love in the world.

And that expression of God’s love should involve a desire to build a community of believers. And if we will build a community of believers then we must go out from the walls of our place of worship and encounter the stranger. We must be welcoming to the visitor.

Is this a frightening idea? Absolutely.

We don’t know these people. We don’t know what they will bring to our church. They may bring their own problems and issues with them, their own baggage that might be a bit unpleasant for us.

Or they might bring in new ideas, concepts and approaches that are exciting and dynamic, that might turn our church on its head in a good way. They might bring a new vitality and energy and love to a stagnant group of believers.

Whatever awaits us we must approach the idea of building a faith community with love. We must approach the new believer and the stranger with the love that God has shown us. That is perfect love; and, as John points out, “perfect love drives out fear.”

DAILY CHALLENGE: What will it take for you to approach the stranger and the visitor with perfect love?

Build Community 1

1 John 1:3-4

When I was in college I was asked to be a date for my cousin’s friend for their prom – they both attended an all-girls school. On that date we went to a quaint Italian restaurant, one of those old-fashioned, family-run places that hadn’t changed in years. After we were married I took my wife to the same restaurant so she could experience the place. Years later I took my co-workers there for lunch so they could enjoy the restaurant.

I had a great time and good food on every occasion. It was fun to be able to share the experience – the food, the atmosphere, the kitschy décor – with those I cared about. Sharing good things can bring about a sense of community and joy.

The first letter from John, possibly one of the disciples, explains the reasons for writing to new believers. What is he proclaiming, or telling? Why does he do this? What is the benefit?

Clearly John has had an experience with Jesus Christ, whether he has had a first-hand, personal encounter with the Savior, or he is among the early believers who have heard the stories of Christ. Whatever the case, John is compelled to share his story. He wants others to know of the wonderful news that he has heard and he wants others to come to know who Jesus was and is.

One desire of his is that these new believers, those who will read his letter, will come into fellowship with John and the other believers. That fellowship not only includes John and others, it also is a fellowship with God, the Father, and with Jesus.

As each new person enters into this community that John hopes to build there will be joy. That joy is not just for John and not just for those who come to believe. That joy is for all who will celebrate the arrival of the new believer. And with that joy comes a sense of completeness, fullness, community.

We must be like John. We must desire to share the love and joy we know in our relationship with Jesus. We must desire to build a real community of believers, a complete collection of all who have come to know Christ. To do that we must share Jesus with others and welcome the new believer in true hospitality.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you invite someone into your community of faith?

Be Welcoming 5

Romans 12:13

This past spring I was impressed with a fellow pastor who asked me for a ride after a meeting. I had to take him to the home of one of his church members so he could retrieve his car. Apparently, the church member needed a car for work and the pastor loaned him his own car – for a few months.

I was impressed with the sense of giving and the willingness to sacrifice in a concrete way for someone in need. The pastor inconvenienced himself for an extended period so someone else could have things a bit easier.

Like the “Love Chapter” most people are familiar with from 1 Corinthians, Paul talks about how to express love in his letter to the church in Rome. He speaks of love being sincere (verse 9) and how we should be devoted to devoted to one another (verse 10). What other attributes of love should we show?

At first glance this verse may seem to hold two instructions. We should share with those in need AND we should be hospitable. But in fact I believe these are two facets of the same idea.

If we will truly love another person we will be willing to share what we have with those who have not. This is one way to live out what it means to be a Christian. We supply what the other person lacks.

We should also practice hospitality. We should be welcoming to the stranger, kind and friendly to the visitor, encouraging to those new in the faith. Not only is hospitality a way to live out the love of God, it is part of sharing with those in need.

If we encounter someone new to our church or new to belief in Jesus, then we must share with them. Part of that sharing is hospitality. They need to find comfort and acceptance. We are able to provide that.

The practice of hospitality is a sharing of what we have, who we are, and what we know with those who do not have that familiarity and comfort in worship. Hospitality, welcoming the stranger, is an expression of love that fills a need in the other person.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you share of yourself in hospitality?

Be Welcoming 4

Titus 1:7-8

Although a pastor I am still a human being and am often tempted to behave just as most others might behave. If I am in a hurry I get frustrated with those who are in my way and become an obstacle. If I get cut off in traffic I am tempted to respond in anger and call out a few inappropriate words.

But I am fortunate enough to have a sticker in the rear window of my car that reminds everyone that I am a member of the clergy. As I drive I can see the small sticker proclaiming “clergy” in my mirror, and it reminds me that I must behave in a disciplined and holy way.

This letter to Titus provides guidance for church leaders. What attributes should an overseer NOT have? What are the requirements of an overseer?

From the very beginning of the church the faithful have been concerned about presenting a right and appropriate behavior to those who are new to the faith. This behavior is not a façade or false front, concealing the true actions of a person. Rather, these attributes should be a true part of who that person is. Those in the faith are warned not to be dishonest, prone to drunkenness or quick-tempered.

Instead the faithful followers of Jesus should genuinely be those who love good. Believers should be holy in their actions and attitude, and part of that holiness is to be hospitable to the outsider.

Some will say that these restrictions and guides are for officers in the church – the pastor, the board of deacons, the elders, or the lay leaders. But in fact these requirements apply to us all.

We are all leaders in the church. We are all overseers in our own congregations. We are each responsible for living an honest and upright life, loving what is good, being self-controlled, holy and disciplined. And we should all be hospitable.

It is up to each of us as members of Christ’s body – the church – to be hospitable and welcoming to those who will come to visit our places of worship. We must be welcoming and warm, encouraging to those who are new to the faith.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can remind you to be hospitable?

Be Welcoming 3

1 Peter 4:10-11

When our children got involved in some of the plays put on at school my wife and I, both veterans of the theater, told them the old adage – “There are no small parts, only small actors.” With only a single line of dialogue or serving as part of the crew, hidden from view, involvement in the play at first seemed somewhat less than exciting. But we emphasized that it took all the different parts and services in a play to make the whole effort a success.

The same is true in our work for God. What does Peter remind us of? What are his comments about serving?

It is very easy to fall into the misconception that only those who preach or work as foreign missionaries are really serving God. Too many believe the only way to reach the unsaved is to present a God-inspired sermon. Too many believe that the only way to help the needy is to live in a grass hut in the jungle ministering to the poor.

This can foster a defeatist attitude and a lackluster approach to serving God. We recognize that we do not possess these gifts and decide not to do anything at all. But we all have a part to play in serving God.

The work of God’s kingdom involves many different gifts and skills. An incredible variety of talents and interests can be employed in serving both God and man. Peter urges us to use our gifts, our God-given abilities and talents, to serve other people.

Peter also reminds us that as we employ our abilities we need to remember who it is that has given us these abilities and for whom we are working. We need to do whatever we can for the benefit of the kingdom of God and do it with zeal and joy, focusing on glorifying God in what we do.

One simple way to serve the Lord is to make those new to the faith and new to the church feel welcome. We may need to set our own desires and comforts aside for the benefit of others. Rather than judging those who enter our place of worship we should do all we can to provide them with loving guidance, forgiveness and grace, and a sincere welcoming heart.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What are you talented at doing? How can this be used to welcome others and help them?

Be Welcoming 2

John 14:2-3

Our friends had a guest bedroom as part of the floor plans for their new home, and over time they painted and decorated the room, filled it with comfortable furniture and even put in a television set. When we celebrated with them that the room was completed and looked so nice they told us that they had us in mind as they worked on the room.

What a comfort and compliment it was to know that our friends worked so hard just for our comfort. What a sense of welcome we felt when we learned their labors were meant for our benefit.

This passage from John is often read during funeral services to provide a sense of comfort to those who grieve. What does Jesus assure his followers about heaven – his Father’s house? What is Jesus going to do?

Part of our faith is the hope and promise of everlasting life with God. These words in John remind us that Jesus has prepared a place in heaven for all of those whom he loves. He has readied the reward for us, making things just right for our comfort and pleasure.

And with that preparatory work come the logic and promise of what is to come. If Jesus has told us about this place then surely it does exist. If Jesus has prepared this place then he will be returning so we might be gathered up to be in that eternal relationship with God. Jesus desires that we will be with him.

We can take comfort in knowing that our joy and eternal happiness has been considered by our Lord. We can also use this as an example of how we are to behave.

God desires that no one be left out of His eternal glory. God desires to be in a relationship with all people, that all people will choose to accept Jesus as Savior and enter into that love that God has for them. And one avenue for that relationship is the church.

We, as the church of Jesus, must be at work preparing a place for others. We must get ready to welcome those who have not yet come to Christ. Like Jesus we should have a place of warm and comfortable welcome, so that where we are others may be also.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Is there something you can do to make certain your place of worship is prepared to welcome a visitor?