I’ve had the privilege of getting to experience many different churches. When my family moves, each time we try out a couple churches and visit them two or three times before deciding which one we want to call ‘our church.’

It’s good for me to learn what to look for in a church for when I leave home, that way I know red flags, green flags, and what type of a church I am looking for. However, this is probably my least favorite part of moving. Why?

Because church is such a personal thing, and while some churches have done a great job at introducing themselves and welcoming us as a new family, others have greeted us once and then left it at that.

You see, when you welcome someone into church, they will walk out with the chance to make one of two choices: come back, or leave.

And as a church, it’s our job to make them feel welcome enough to come back. And no, I don’t mean come back to that specific church. Some churches just aren’t the right fit for certain people!

I’m talking about coming back to the Church, the capital-C church. I’ve known people who have been hurt by the Church. I’ve been hurt by the church. That’s because we’re not perfect. We are Christians, but we are not perfect.

And so, when you meet a new believer, don’t immediately ask “What denomination are you? Where do you stand in politics? What are your thoughts on the Rapture?” Those things will honestly set them back and think, “Is this Christian thing really worth it after all?”

So how can we make new Christians—or anybody interested or curious about Christianity—want to stay and not run away?

Well, first, tell them they are welcome. Whether or not they decide to come to Christ, they are welcome. Welcome them when they first come to Christ and welcome them when you see them on a random Thursday.

Second, don’t force it. Faith cannot be forced. It must be chosen. And humans do not like being forced to choose something like this! But faith especially has to be something that you choose from the deepest part of your heart.

And thirdly, get to know them. This applies to anyone and everyone: new Christians, old Christians, Buddhists, Pagans, atheists, teenagers, grandparents, bosses and coworkers, friends, family, everybody. In every relationship, if you are going to take that relationship somewhere, you gotta get to know ‘em.

So if you are welcoming people into the church, make them feel loved.

And if you are being welcomed into the church or aren’t yet a part of it, you are loved.

~Willow