I like to ask challenging questions--ones that stretch one's borders. I ask the same questions of myself continually for the same stretching results. A discussion was begun a little while ago about a church who started paying special attention to its visitors, has seen a dramatic increase in regular attendance, and has focused their whole church into what they now call their "Five Star Ministry" named after hotels and motels that are top-rated five stars.
"https://kingdominsight.ning.com/forum/topics/fivestar-experience-for-your"
I remember a story of Abraham sitting in the doorway of his tent and seeing two strangers afar off, went running to them and implored them to stay and eat. Do I remember correctly that the two strangers "just happened" to be two angels? Is this the story behind the verse (in Hebrews I believe) that says when we entertain strangers, we may be entertaining "angels unawares"? I'd like to know the strength of the Bible's position on the receiving of strangers and visitors. Is it mentioned a lot or a little? Are there any specific commands concerning strangers and visitors? How might this relate to visitors popping into your church service?
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Hi Mike,
I am intrigued with your question about "strangers." There are STRONG instructions all through the Bible about "taking care of the widows, fatherless, and strangers." In almost every place where the one is mentioned, so are the other two, so that they're almost always grouped together in the same instruction from God. These instructions are so important to God that He pronounced punishments on the nation of Israel for neglecting their widows, fatherless, and strangers. If I were to take a guess at the meaning of a stranger, I'd say it is someone who is not presently in your immediate circle of friends and confidants. Notice I said "presently" because the way the Bible instructs us to immediately receive them and see to all their needs, they shouldn't remain a stranger for long. I believe the treatment of widows, fatherless, and strangers indicates the very heart of God Himself, because one of the Psalms says when humans neglect to do so, then God Himself will wrap them up in His arms. I myself have been fatherless and a stranger, and it hurts. For this very reason, we have begun the VISITOR RETENTION PROGRAM here at Kingdom that I believe EVERY church should be PRACTICING daily with every meeting. This program teaches a church and ministry organization in specific ways how to love on "strangers" in the same ways Jesus did with all of His heart! Jesus was severely criticized for befriending and eating with tax collectors and prostitutes. Abraham was famous for sitting in the door of his tent waiting for a stranger to come along. When he spotted one, he'd run up to them and implore them to join him for washing, eating, resting, and sleeping. What hospitality! Bet it didn't take more than a few minutes for a stranger to feel like he'd been adopted into his family. You'll NEVER be a stranger around me--I'd adopt you in an instant if you needed a family.
Blessings, Dave
As you know we have had some very deep conversation however this one I want to ask you to clarify one thing for me.
When you classify some one as stranger have we not already made an assumption about that person? That in turn making us choice to be tender and loving or caution and hard?
I could be reading into this a little differently then most but I have been a "stranger" far to many times
Juanita, what makes the difference? Lisa, everyone who comes through the church door has a need of some sort? How powerful is a great hug and greeting when entering a strange church? How powerful is genuine friendliness and compassion? When I first moved to this area to teach at the local university, one of the music students invited me to her church to see the drama team perform a mime with Christian music. I agreed to visit. The mime was so powerful I sat there choking on tears. Wow, I'll never forget that heart experience. At the end of the service, the pastor walked straight up to me at the end of his prayer to greet me. I was sitting in the very back. The Holy Spirit had informed him about my situation. The pastor was visiting at my kitchen table by 4:00 that same afternoon. At the end of another visit, a teenager named Brandon (complete stranger to me) gave me a big hug and said welcome. Did they know at the time how much I was in the depths of a desperate, hurting situation and had actually fled from where I lived 22 years to get away from it? It is unfortunate sometimes even the most committed relationships have deep, hurtful valleys. But I can genuinely say, I wouldn't have made it without being adopted by this church family. Maybe someday I'll tell you more. What if I hadn't been invited to that church, and what if they hadn't received me like Jesus had compassion for the hurting, strangers, prostitutes, publicans, and tax collectors? Jesus will not break a bruised reed, nor quench a smoking flax. Are we just as tender and loving as He?
I haven't searched the scriptures enough to answer your question. However I suspect the answer is yes. We are instructed to helping those in need. That by doing so we may be entertaining angels unawares. Last time I checked everyone who comes through the church door has a need of some sort. We also have the story of the good samaritin and the fellow who helped his persistent night visitor,
On a practical level I am reminded of the difference in how the church I attended as a child handled visitors and how we handle them in the church I attend now. At my current church someone will go out of their way to say hello. Often it is the Pastor or a leader but other folks also take the time to great visitors. They make a genuine effort to make people feel welcomed. I admit I need to work on this. In the church I attended as a child I witnessed someone saying " I suppose I should go talk to them". It was a have to not a want to. This person was the only person who did say hi to the visitor. The place was small we all knew someone new was in the attending. Our attitudes speak volumes!
When I first began attending my current church I was drawn by some thing my coworkers said. I needed help moving into a new apartment and some of these folks helped me move. A house warming gift of flowers from one of the ladies let me know that I would be accepted. She later became a valued friend.
David, over the years as we have traveled, Johnny and I have visited many churches. Sometimes we have genuinely felt welcomed and wanted to return. Other times we felt like our presence wasn't noticed. I know you're teaching on this. What really makes 'the difference'?
Replies
I am intrigued with your question about "strangers." There are STRONG instructions all through the Bible about "taking care of the widows, fatherless, and strangers." In almost every place where the one is mentioned, so are the other two, so that they're almost always grouped together in the same instruction from God. These instructions are so important to God that He pronounced punishments on the nation of Israel for neglecting their widows, fatherless, and strangers. If I were to take a guess at the meaning of a stranger, I'd say it is someone who is not presently in your immediate circle of friends and confidants. Notice I said "presently" because the way the Bible instructs us to immediately receive them and see to all their needs, they shouldn't remain a stranger for long. I believe the treatment of widows, fatherless, and strangers indicates the very heart of God Himself, because one of the Psalms says when humans neglect to do so, then God Himself will wrap them up in His arms. I myself have been fatherless and a stranger, and it hurts. For this very reason, we have begun the VISITOR RETENTION PROGRAM here at Kingdom that I believe EVERY church should be PRACTICING daily with every meeting. This program teaches a church and ministry organization in specific ways how to love on "strangers" in the same ways Jesus did with all of His heart! Jesus was severely criticized for befriending and eating with tax collectors and prostitutes. Abraham was famous for sitting in the door of his tent waiting for a stranger to come along. When he spotted one, he'd run up to them and implore them to join him for washing, eating, resting, and sleeping. What hospitality! Bet it didn't take more than a few minutes for a stranger to feel like he'd been adopted into his family. You'll NEVER be a stranger around me--I'd adopt you in an instant if you needed a family.
Blessings, Dave
As you know we have had some very deep conversation however this one I want to ask you to clarify one thing for me.
When you classify some one as stranger have we not already made an assumption about that person? That in turn making us choice to be tender and loving or caution and hard?
I could be reading into this a little differently then most but I have been a "stranger" far to many times
On a practical level I am reminded of the difference in how the church I attended as a child handled visitors and how we handle them in the church I attend now. At my current church someone will go out of their way to say hello. Often it is the Pastor or a leader but other folks also take the time to great visitors. They make a genuine effort to make people feel welcomed. I admit I need to work on this. In the church I attended as a child I witnessed someone saying " I suppose I should go talk to them". It was a have to not a want to. This person was the only person who did say hi to the visitor. The place was small we all knew someone new was in the attending. Our attitudes speak volumes!
When I first began attending my current church I was drawn by some thing my coworkers said. I needed help moving into a new apartment and some of these folks helped me move. A house warming gift of flowers from one of the ladies let me know that I would be accepted. She later became a valued friend.