February is here, and our local shops are shrines of red cellophane, oversized teddy bears, and enough chocolate to make a dentist weep. It is the month of love, candlelit dinners, and awkward first dates. However, my focus is on a different kind of “first date”: the moment a visitor walks through our church doors.
While checking out the location of an upcoming funeral, I noticed that the church had a one-star review. Curious, I read that the guest did not feel welcome there. When we consider that churches are often labelled “The House of God,” and the Bible tells us that God loves everyone, it is sad to think that anyone would feel unwelcome.
In all honesty, walking into a new church for the first time can feel a bit like walking into a high school cafeteria mid-semester. You scan the room, trying to figure out where to sit without accidentally stealing “Mrs. Higgins’ pew” (the one she has sat in since the Leafs last won the Stanley Cup). Those first ninety seconds of walking through the main doors will determine whether or not you will likely return.
As a congregation, we have an opportunity to quickly show a guest that the love of Christ is real, not just a nice sentiment printed on a bulletin. The church I attend in Mexico does this well. A big welcoming banner reads, “Papa says, ‘Welcome Home. Mi casa es tu casa.’”’ Every churchgoer, whether new or a long-time attendee, affixes a name tag to their chest, instantly helping us to feel both personally seen and part of a community. While several people take turns as “greeters” at the door, many others take the time to welcome us as we find our seats (closest to the fans). After the bilingual singing and worship time, the host invites us to mingle and say hello. An instant buzz of chatter begins as people leave their seats to socialize. Drawing everyone back to hear the pastor’s message is sometimes a challenge! But even in a foreign country, we feel at home in this casa de Dios.
However, this welcoming atmosphere is not always the case, as the one-star review indicated. Sometimes guests walk in to observe an impenetrable circle of friends in the lobby discussing the hockey scores or the upcoming potluck. That display of “community” can look like a “Keep Out” sign to a visitor.
The Bible is clear about how to treat our guests. When asked which commandment was the greatest, Jesus said:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39)
If we truly love God, that love should naturally spill over onto the person standing awkwardly by the coat rack. Loving our neighbour is not about “Canadian politeness” in our church. It is noticing the person sitting alone and offering to sit with them. It is being patient when a visitor does not know when to stand or sit during the service. It is giving grace to the guest who leaves mid-service to have a smoke outside the door, changing the air quality on their return. It is making sure that we reflect the “love” we sing about in our smiles.
How does the world know we are Christians? Is it our bumper stickers? Our cross pendants? Our ability to win at Bible Trivia? Jesus gave us a simple answer:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35(NIV).
As we navigate this month of red roses and heart-shaped everything, we can reflect on the heart of our church. Love is not just a feeling we get during a moving hymn; it is a heart posture that shows in the way we open the door, offer a hand, and make sure no one feels like a stranger for long. Genuine smiles are free and universally say, “I’m happy you’re here.” While the Valentine’s chocolate will be gone by March, the impact of a Christ-like welcome can last a lifetime.
Papa says, “Welcome home.”
