No one can deny the fact that nowadays many people hop from one church to another. As true believers of Jesus Christ we shouldn’t blame anyone, for this particular problem because we do not know why they keep doing so. Of course not all of those who are church hopping have the same problem. But as a church member we need to think positively and pray about this matter. This is so that we can do something for them; in order to keep them feeling at home in our church. This is especially important to those who are new to our church - that they really feel accepted in our church.
After listening to a sermon preached by two brothers in our church last month in two different services, I began to remind myself, “Do I make each member feel accepted in the church?” Actually it is my responsibilities to make every member feel at home or accepted in the church, particularly the visitors. So based on their sermon I have listed four steps which we can use or do in order to keep our brothers and sisters feeling accepted in our church.
First, pray for them constantly without ceasing. [Colossians 4:5-6 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.] Grasp every opportunity to pray for them, by asking them why they are here. Once we know them personally, we can for pray for them. Prayer is the best tool for every one of us to use in order to show our concern for them. Why do I say this? Because just recently two sisters from Singapore happened to be in our church, and I took that opportunity to pray for them because they were flying back to Singapore that afternoon. I never expected anything to happen after praying for them. But one week later I received a letter from them. In their letter they said that they were very much encouraged by my prayer.
Brothers and sisters you can do it as well, not just for the visitors but for our fellow members, pray for them continually. Prayer only requires our faith in Jesus Christ [Matthew 7:7-12 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!]. Our prayer has the power to move God’s spirit to work [James 5:16 the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.]. Our prayer is like a boat, sending someone across the river. It’s also like an ambulance sending someone to hospital. The most important thing is our heart, whether we are willing to spend some time praying for others or not.
Remember, in order to experience God’s power in our church ministry we need to sacrifice three things in our life. The first is our time; second is our energy and third is our possessions. Jesus said to His disciples “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” [Mark 8:34-36 ]. Are you prepared to sacrifice three areas in your life today?
Secondly, visit them regularly by going to their houses or offices. We also can visit them through other means, without our physical presence. This can be done through our hand phone [SMS or call], cards, through our daily prayer or through e-mail. The Apostle Paul said to the Colossian church, “though I am not present physically but my spirit is always with you”. Therefore it is not necessary for us to visit our brothers and sisters through our physical presence but visit them through other means. Above all we need to take note that it is our action that is important. See [Colossians 4:5-6 ] “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone”.
Remember brothers and sisters that visiting our fellow family in Christ today is not difficult because we have plenty of means available for use. It does not require a lot of our time but more action. Now I have this question for you - How often do you visit your fellow friends in Christ who do not regularly come to our church? Take action before something else happens.
Thirdly, inviting them on special occasions, for example; birthday parties, Chinese New Year, Gawai or Christmas celebrations. Make them feel important in our gatherings by introducing them to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. See in [1 Peter 4:8-10 ] “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms”.
Actually I am not good in helping others who are facing problems because of my many limitations but I try my best to do something for God in helping others. I need to remind myself that my motive must be right because if it is not those who receive my help will not feel anything. Once my motive is right I believe those being helped will experience God’s Love.
Fourthly, offer our care voluntarily to them, physically and spiritually. I still remember in my first month at TMC, a brother came to me and said, pastor if you have any need just tell me. His words really made me feel at home and accepted. Let us look at Jesus’ example when he sees the Samaritan woman coming to draw water in the well. He came nearer and asked for water. [John 4 ]. Many times we are waiting for others to come to us. As I ponder upon this event, it makes me remember the words said by my friend. He said, “Brother if you want to eat fish, you need go to the river for it”. What he meant is that no fish will jump out of the river into our pot by itself. Likewise in Church, in order to make a person feel accepted we need to come up to them and make ourselves available to them. Talk to them. Show our interest in them, that we accept them. The Bible says very clearly that we need to bear one an others burden. See [Galatians 6:2 ] “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”.
Finally, brothers and sisters in Christ let us make our fellow brothers and sisters who are new to our church feel accepted because they need our care. Although it is difficult for us to do because we are not used to it, do something. Let us try do something for our God in our church, by praying and by offering our help to those who are new in our midst. Each one of us comes to church every Sunday; surely you are expecting something from God. As a mature Christian, what do you do with those who are new to our church? Bear in mind brothers and sisters this project is not a one minute project but it takes time and must continue, day after day.
To end, brothers and sisters remember this Bible verse as we serve the Lord in our Church “Do everything without complaining or arguing” [Phi 2:14.] And then our service can bring blessings to others. The Bible says every help and care which we offer to our brothers and sisters are not in vain, if we do it sincerely and honestly. Because of our love for God, He can change things. See [Peter 4:8-9] which says “above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling”. Each one of us is qualified to serve Him and can be used by Him to do great things.
