The greeters are the friendly faces who welcome visitors and members as they show up for worship. Some people are greeters because they signed up to serve in that role for a certain amount of time. What a wonderful thing to do! Others are greeters because that’s just who they are. Wherever folks enter the building, they are typically nearby with a warm smile and a “good to see you!”
I can easily think of several people I know who will brighten my day when I see them. They’re reliably friendly and fill my heart with their sweet attention. I believe our congregation is welcoming, and they are the reason why.
If you feel like your church family is less than warm or welcoming, the good news is you can change that. All you have to do is be a greeter yourself! If you are consistently warm and friendly, then you are making your church family that way because you ARE the church.
I hope all church greeters know how dear and valuable they are. They help everyone feel seen. They make sure no one leaves without being spoken to. They are helping the Lord’s church make a great first impression on those who are visiting for the first time.
We should all be greeters, shouldn’t we?
“By this all people will know that you are My disciples,
When I read Psalm 16, I envision David looking up as he says, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from You” (v. 2). Then I picture David looking around as he says, “As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight” (v. 3). What a beautiful psalm and prayer, one I heartily echo. “You are good, God, and I love You. And Your people are good, and I love them, too.”
David goes on to thank God for His guidance:
“I bless the Lord who gives me counsel” (v. 7).
“You make known to me the path of life” (v. 11).
And he also thanks God for His presence:
“Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken” (v. 8).
“In Your presence there is fullness of joy” (v. 11).
We can praise God for those things, too, and sometimes His guidance and His presence are experienced through His people. Think about the times you’ve received spiritual counsel from Christian friends, preachers, Bible class teachers, or elders. We know God uses His people for instruction (Rom. 10:14-15; 2 Tim. 4:2). And how can we not see God when we spend time with those who are doing their best to look and act like Him (Gal. 2:20; 1 Cor. 11:1)?
Perhaps the best part of this short psalm is how often David freely expresses his happiness:
“delight” (v. 3)
“pleasant” (v. 6)
“beautiful” (v. 6)
“glad” (v. 9)
“rejoices” (v. 9)
“fullness of joy” (v. 11)
“pleasures forevermore” (v. 11)
We know David’s life wasn’t perfect or trouble free. He speaks of his pain in other psalms (see Psalms 6, 13, and 38). And yet his joy is undeniable. How is that possible? I think the answer goes back to the opening lines of the psalm. He looked to God for goodness and also saw goodness in the people of God. I love how David unashamedly praises God’s people. There was no doubt how he felt about them. “The saints are the excellent ones! I delight in them!” We’d get some funny looks if we went around talking like that. But I imagine we could all benefit from looking for and believing in the goodness of fellow Christians. And then freely sharing it with others. (Shouldn’t the people around us have an idea that we love God’s people and enjoy being with them?) Then we, too, will experience the joy, gladness, and pleasure of keeping God before us and His people around us.
My sister-in-law, Mendy, recently shared a sermon by Jason Chesser. In that message, Jason was talking about the fact that Christians need each other because we’re weaker without each other. He mentioned the parable of the lost sheep (Matt. 18:10-14) and said, “No wonder the shepherd was willing to go off and leave the 99 sheep in search of the one. The 99 sheep had each other. The one who wandered off alone was vulnerable.” Amen to that.
There’s a statement I’ve heard a lot through the years, usually in a hospital room, at a graveside, or on the front pew after someone has come forward requesting prayers:
“I don’t know how anyone could go through life without a church family.”
Perhaps it is in those more difficult moments that we realize just how much we rely on each other. You can see the gratitude or relief in someone’s eyes who has been brought a meal or prayed with through loss or hardship. You can watch someone stand up straighter who was surrounded by loving fellow Christians after confessing sin. You can certainly see a sweet smile on the face of a lonely widow who has been invited to lunch or dinner with your family.
I’ve seen church families rally around those who were wrongfully accused, financially struggling, spiritually weak, or physically depleted. I’ve seen Christians help shoulder the marital and parental burdens of others. I’ve seen church leaders courageously and lovingly lead their flocks through natural disasters, economic crises, and even a pandemic.
And personally, my family has experienced the love, support, and help from fellow Christians more times than I can say.
God knew we would need each other. I hope we all make the most of that! But if your heart is going through a struggle and you feel lonely, please don’t try to soldier on alone. Reach out to your brothers and sisters in Christ and let them have the opportunity to be by your side.
We’re to “encourage one another and build one another up” (1 Thess. 5:11). We’re to “stir up one another to love and good works” (Heb. 10:24). We’re to “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2). And we are to “abound in love for one another” (1 Thess. 3:12). Sometimes it’s in our giving to others in these ways that we end up receiving exactly what we need ourselves.
Hiram Kemp preached a sermon yesterday entitled, “Ways to Glorify God in 2024.” One of the main points was “Love the Local Church.” I appreciated so much his emphasis on recognizing our need for each other. (You can listen here, starting at 1:32:08.) It also gave me an idea. A few years ago I spent a year sharing “52 Ways to Grow Closer to Christ.” I’d like to do that again, only this time focusing on His church. Surely our relationship with Christ deepens when we grow our love for the people He died for.
Reason #1 to love the church: Because Jesus does.
A quick read of Ephesians 5:25-32 leaves no doubt about how Christ feels about the church. In this one short paragraph we learn that He:
“loved the church” (v. 25)
“gave Himself up for her” (v. 25)
“sanctifies her” (v. 26)
“cleanses her” (v. 26)
“presents the church to Himself in splendor” so she can be “holy and without blemish” (v. 27)
“nourishes and cherishes” the church (v. 29)
Why? “Because we are members of His body” (v. 30).
I want to love what Jesus loves, and He loves the church. His agape love for her motivated His feelings about her, His estimation of her, and His actions toward her. He sacrificed Himself for her because He wants what’s best for her.
As we begin a brand new year wearing the name of Christ, let’s love the church as He does. Not in some broad, nebulous way, but in a very personal, specific way. How can we love our own church families more? What are some selfish interests we need to put aside so we can serve sacrificially? How can we prove by our words and deeds that we want what’s best for the church? When we prioritize Christ by showing this kind of love for His church, the world will take notice.
My husband Dale spoke at Polishing the Pulpit recently on the topic of pessimism and its effects on the church. As he ran through some of his points out loud, it got me thinking about how much can be paralleled with this topic and the design of the human body (I guess, as a nurse, I can’t help but make that connection).
For example, if the kidneys start actin’ up, if you will, the other organs will be affected. And if this isn’t addressed correctly and in a timely manner, it can wreak havoc on the rest of the body. The other organs will overcompensate to try and keep the body healthy, but they will eventually become damaged and not able to perform at their optimum levels. The body is an incredible machine designed by a perfect Creator but we live in a fallen world and sometimes we do things, even subconsciously, that can harm our own health. Likewise, the church was designed perfectly but sometimes we can also do harm to this body. When we as Christians display pessimism, either subconsciously or knowingly, we can cause major harm to the Lord’s body. Attitudes tend to be contagious. If someone voices several complaints and negative remarks, it can discourage others and lead to more negative attitudes. The church will not grow and thrive if pessimism is commonplace.
As we age, we must take care to treat our physical bodies with special consideration so that our health doesn’t deteriorate prematurely and we can enjoy a long life with those we love and in service to the Lord. In the same way, we must take care to treat the Lord’s body with special consideration, showing gratitude and love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. The church may not be perfect, but we can do things to help it grow and become stronger.
Here are some practical ways we can each take it upon ourselves to combat pessimism in our own congregations:
If we hear someone complaining about someone or something in the church…instead of going along with the complaints and contributing to negativity, make it a point to verbalize something positive that you’re thankful for related to the topic.
Do a character study of Barnabas. He was known as a great encourager and we could probably all learn a thing or two from him.
If you happen to know a Negative Nelly in your congregation, make it a point to compliment them. This is not meant to be manipulative or dishonest, obviously. Find something you admire about them, anything really, and let them know. It could work wonders on this person, who may not often hear personal compliments. Take time to get to know them and I bet you’ll find there’s more positivity to be found by them, it just needed to be uncovered by someone who took the time.
Let’s all do our part to show positivity instead of pessimism so the church can grow and God can be glorified!
I love the story of the four men who carried a paralytic to Jesus. The crowd was so thick around Jesus that they were “unable to get to Him.” They went up to the roof, dug an opening, and let down the pallet to where Jesus was. Jesus was moved by their faith and healed the paralytic. This account is shared in three of the gospels but none of them mention the relationship between the four men and the paralytic. Were they related or just good friends? When reading this text, I tend to focus on how we should be willing to go to great lengths to get people to Jesus. I recently realized, though, that theirs isn’t the only example we should follow. Equally important is the fact that the paralytic was willing to let others help him.
Consider this account from the paralytic’s viewpoint. He must’ve felt such hope and anticipation when those four men offered to carry him to Jesus for healing. I imagine he also felt a moment of discouragement when he saw the crowd. Apparently no one made way for him to get through. But his friends were determined. What was going through his mind as they started lowering him down through that hole in the roof? Was his heart pounding? Did he think his friends had lost their minds? At the very least, it had to have been an uncomfortable situation, maybe filled with some anxiety.
Sometimes we need to ask for help.
Pride, discomfort, embarrassment, awkwardness…we can allow any number of things keep us from seeking help. But what’s a little discomfort if it will bring us closer to Christ? If I am struggling with something that is overwhelming me, I need to ask for help. If my heart feels disengaged but I can’t quite figure out why, I should find someone who can help me.
Sometimes we need to be humble enough to accept unsolicited help.
We may not even realize we need help. What if there’s something in my life pulling me away from Jesus and I’m not even aware of it? I will need help seeing it. I will need someone to point it out. Faithful friends will gently show me I’ve developed a bad attitude or a complaining spirit. Or they may need to mention some decisions of mine that show I’ve become self-absorbed or worldly. I might not realize that I’ve come dangerously close to compromising my faith or that I’m playing with fire. A good friend will remind me to do a heart check and will ask me if I’ve welcomed sin into my life.
We need others to care enough to be honest with us. There’s a time for building up and encouraging but there’s also a time for loving rebuke (Prov. 28:23). Then we need to be humble enough to accept it, without making excuses or getting defensive or being sensitive. We need to accept it with gratitude.
It took four friends and Jesus to help the paralytic. There’s no shame in letting others in. That’s what the church is for. That’s what family is for. Surround yourself with people who love the Lord and make it easier for you to stay close to Him. The beauty of it is that it can influence others for good, too. Notice what happened when the paralytic allowed people to help him:
“He got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this'” (v. 12).
Thankful for good people in our lives! (photo credit: John Moore)
HOME SWEET HOME. Those three simple words engage the senses. They conjure up images of loved ones, the home place, your childhood tree swing. Perhaps you associate it with the smell of apple pie, your favorite birthday meal, or your mother’s perfume. Or maybe you can close your eyes and hear your father whistling while he’s working on the car. We want to fill our own homes with that same sense of belonging and rightness, so we intentionally create good memories for our own families: laughter around the dinner table, nightly devotionals, loving touches, and sweet traditions. Home is synonymous with comfort and security. When we’re away from it, we long for it. Not every earthly home is ideal, but many would agree that “there’s no place like home.”
Thank God for the home He provides for His family! He must want us to enjoy that same sense of love and security because He gives us a home to enjoy now and one to look forward to in eternity. When I close my eyes and think of my church family, I can’t help but recall warm hugs, precious memories, dear songs, and loving support. No matter where we live, we have a home made up of Christian family. What a blessing! I can’t imagine trying to get through this life without it. Jesus promises a heavenly home with our Father (John 14:1-3). This one will be big enough to accommodate all of our loved ones. There will be no goodbyes or sad memories (Rev. 21:3-4). It will be the ultimate Home Sweet Home.
As dear as home is, some choose to walk away from it. Whatever the reason for it (indifference, rebellion, sin), the absence is keenly felt by the Father and family. I ran across a song recently called, “You Can Always Come Home.” It is based on the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. In that passage, Jesus tells a parable of a young man who chose to leave home to experience the world. He lived wildly and recklessly. He cared not for his reputation or his family name. But his new lifestyle brought no satisfaction. The thrill was short-lived as he found himself broken and alone. That’s when he thought of home and his wayward heart longed to return. This passage never gets old for me. My breath catches every time I read of his father running to meet him. His father didn’t say, “You made your bed; now you have to lie in it.” He didn’t say, “What do you have to say for yourself?!” He most certainly didn’t say, “I don’t know you,” or “You’re no son of mine.” Instead, every action on his part said, “Welcome home, my son.”
I have loved ones who have wandered away. I pray they will long for home and make the journey back, regardless of time or distance. As the song pleads, “Remember, you can always come home.”
My own heart has struggled with seasons of waywardness. May I always be drawn to the real love and security offered by my Father. May HOME remain my favorite place to be.
One thing I love about the Lord’s church is the fact that we are family. We are brothers and sisters united by the precious blood of Christ. That means no matter where we go, we can find family.
This past week Neal and I have been with the Hollywood Rd. church of Christ in Houma, LA. We both feel like we have been among true family and gained true friends. In the body of Christ, it doesn’t take long to form heart connections! The Christians here are warm, friendly, and giving. It is obvious they love being together. That’s how it’s supposed to be. Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
It was easy for Neal and I to identify that common love in the church here. We are Christians coming in among fellow Christians. But what does the world see?
Tuesday night one of the members brought a guest to the gospel meeting going on this week. The guest showed up early enough to enjoy the meal we had together first. What was his impression? What did his first glimpse of the Lord’s church reveal? I am so thankful that we learned the answer to those questions. Last night we found out that this visitor went to work the next day talking about his experience. He said, “Those people not only love Jesus, they love me, too.”
A higher compliment to the church here in Houma could not be paid! Isn’t that how it’s supposed to be? Isn’t the goal of every church to be so loving that visitors walk away with the impression of being loved? This visitor knew that he was taken in and loved because the Christians here love Jesus. What’s their secret here? How did a one-time visit leave such an impression on this man? I know the answer to that, too, because I saw it unfold. He was greeted warmly, he was hugged, and he was served. This visitor knew the Christians here love Jesus because they acted like Jesus.
I hope I remember this for a long time. I am so convicted by this simple experience. I am challenged to do my part in my home church to make visitors feel loved.
What impression are people left with when they visit your home congregation? How do you make them feel? May we all do our part to make sure others “know we are Christians by our love.”
Those people not only love Jesus, they love me, too.
David & Kathy Jones, a couple who lives out the love of Christ here in Houma, LA!
Revive Me, Week 37– A Year of Growing Stronger in the Lord
Fight for Relationships
Perhaps you’ve seen some status posts or memes that convey a “that’s their problem” mentality. They’ll say things like:
Sometimes you have to move on without certain people. If they’re meant to be in your life, they’ll catch up.
I’m tired of fighting. For once I want to be fought for.
Life is short. Only surround yourself with people who get you.
Relationships are worth fighting for but not if only one is fighting.
These comments are sad, aren’t they? They reveal a short-sightedness that comes from thinking like the world. Relationships are worth fighting for. They’re important to God and should be to us as well. I’m not talking about relationships that are unwholesome (1 Cor. 15:33). I’m talking about:
Being willing to swallow our pride to work through hurt feelings with a sister in Christ
Drumming up the courage to form friendships with our neighbors
Continuing to be kind to those who have been thoughtless or mean
Honoring our parents even if they’ve let us down
Putting our spouse’s needs before our own, every day
Giving ourselves, offering our time, opening our hearts to our church family without burning out or getting huffy if we don’t feel our efforts are being reciprocated
God wants us to fight for good relationships. He wants US to make the first move to show others we care. Read Romans 12:9-21.
Suggestions for the Week:
Break down Rom. 12:9-21 phrase by phrase. List a practical way to demonstrate each command.
Is there a strained relationship in your life? Have you done your part to work through it? Pray about it and reach out again.
Check your heart. Is pride keeping you from making things right with someone? Have you been lazy in your efforts to show love?
Begin to form a new relationship this week. Choose a neighbor, an elderly person or nursing home resident, a new Christian, etc.
Revive Me, Week 36– A Year of Growing Stronger in the Lord
Hug Like You Mean It
“Let go of whatever it was that turned you into a tentative hugger, and hug like you mean it.”
I’ve been doing too much mindless hugging lately. When my husband walks in the door, I often hug him but my mind might be elsewhere. I can be in the middle of hugging a member of my church family but my eyes will be searching for that person I need to talk to. And I don’t even want to think about how many hugs from my sons I didn’t really focus on.
A couple of things have caused me to think about this:
The brevity of life (James 4:13-17). I’ve recently heard of a couple of sudden, unexpected deaths. I imagine their loved ones are recalling their last interactions with the departed. They probably want nothing more than to hold them one more time. When you wish you could hug someone but you can’t, you know the value of a simple hug. I also know of some who have a loved one entering hospice care. Surely every hug from now on will be more meaningful, more precious.
The power of a good hug. I’ve been the recipient of a couple of heartfelt hugs lately, the kind that make me pause and think, “Oh, this is a real hug.” Real hugs leave me feeling bolstered and loved, as if I just received a gift. They make me smile say, “thank you!” They convince me to be more deliberate with my own hugging.
“A hug delights and warms and charms. That must be why God gave us arms.”
Non-huggers may be cringing at this post. That’s okay. You have your own form of greeting and encouraging (a hearty handshake?). The point of this Revive Me challenge is to remind us to be “all there” when we engage with others. Smile warmly, look others in the eye, and hug for real. For some, it may be just the boost they need to keep on keeping on.
Suggestions for the Week:
Hug the stuffing out of your family members this week. Give your husband extra doses. Cherish every child-hug. And especially hug the elderly in your family.
Determine to give up distracted greetings. Give one-on-one attention to each person you meet at worship.
Go out of your way to hug the unhuggable (not the ones who don’t like hugs…that wouldn’t be very nice). Look for the insecure, angry, or rebellious. Help them understand God’s compassion by offering a warm hug.
Never let a gathering go by where you don’t hug the widows and widowers. For some of them, it may be the only contact they enjoy during the week.
Just for fun, do some research into the science of hugging to learn some of the health benefits.
Life and Favor (Job 10:12) 