November 24

Welcoming all People

Daniel Lupton in his book, "I Like Church But" tells the story of a community church located in a Midwest college town Church. This church had worked diligently to maintain its high level of tradition in their worship service. The people all had their favorite pews, they came early to pray and meditate, and they came elegantly dressed for generations.
Because of these long held community standards, the local college students rarely attended this church. One Sunday in September, just after the college students had returned, a college student showed up for worship. He was wearing typical college attire, a tee shirt, sandals and shorts. As he started to make his way up the aisle looking for a seat he discovered there were no seats available. Now at the front of the church he was faced with a dilemma. Would he turn around and leave or come up with something creative. Being a college student, he had great creativity so he simply crossed his legs and sat down right aside of the 1st pew. People's expressions could easily be read. Nothing like this had every happened before! This had the potential to disrupt the entire service. You could read the body language in the eyes of the people. “Who does this kid think he is?” At the rear of the sanctuary, gray haired Deacon Oakley, who was serving as head usher, he closely watched this whole incident. From the time Deacon Oakley was a young child, he had been taught how to dress for Church. You wear the clothes you would wear to see Jesus. So he had on a blue 3 piece suit and an elegant tie. A gold watch fob gleamed from his vest. Deacon Oakley was appropriately named. He was old and strong as a tree. In previous years he had chaired the church board, and his reputation was solid. You could just sense from the people, its OK Deacon Oakley will handle this one. Slowly Deacon Oakley began his walk up the aisle. On Sundays he brought a gold and ebony cane to support himself. His trek to the front seemed to take forever. Entire wedding processions had finished in less time. Finally, he stood next to where the student was plopped down. Now what would happen next? Everyone waited. After a long moment the Deacon dropped his cane in the aisle, slowly lowered himself to the carpet, and offered his hand to the young man. “Glad to have you with us today.” The wise elderly man and the young guest worshipped together right there in the center aisle. That’s the perfect picture of what church should be all about. We Christ followers stepping outside our comfort zones to welcome people of different races, ethnicities, economic backgrounds and different clothes styles.

Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”

Three keys to welcoming them:
1. We welcome them through loving relationships. The only way to build the bridge is for you to become friends with someone outside of your comfort zone.
2. We welcome them by “GOING” and not expect them to come to us. Work up a plan to leave your comfort zone and enter another person’s world.
3. We welcome people by sitting in the aisle with them. A few years ago a young man attended Grace church and he wore a hat. I do not wear hats inside because of my traditional upbringing but there is nothing in the 10 Commandments that prohibits hat wearing. Sadly, one of our people scolded this young man and he has never come back. We need to look beyond the non-essentials and focus on what is really important. The eternal destinies of people lie in the balance, do not make an issue about hats, clothing, social standing, race or ethnicity. Make an issue about love, forgiveness and salvation.

May the disciples of Deacon Oakley rise in number today!!!