Becoming a Welcoming Church

I recently had the joy of preaching at St James, Moorabbin, as they celebrated 75 years together as a Lutheran congregation. What a milestone! My sermon drew on Colossians 1:15-20, where Paul proclaims that Jesus is “before all things” c that everything was created through him and for him. Paul reminds us that Christ “is the head of the body, the church” and “in him all things hold together.”

Now, we know the church isn’t bricks, mortar, and stained glass, don’t we? As members of Jesus’ body, we’re part of “the household of God,” with Christ as our head, being “built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”

But here’s the thing – buildings do matter. They hold our holy memories: baptisms, confirmations, communion services where forgiveness was placed right into our hands, sermons that steadied and revived us. Every congregation has these treasured moments, including memories of caring for the building itself. I have vivid memories of helping my own dad at working bees, where friendships formed and faith took root while fixing gutters and painting walls.

Yet all these building memories point to something deeper: the people God has knit together in community, and Jesus who calls, gathers, and nourishes us for life in his service. The real story of any church isn’t concrete and timber – it’s the story of Jesus calling and gathering a community, his body, into being, and preparing it to serve God’s good news to others.

From Friendly to Belonging

Here’s a sobering story someone shared with me recently: a family attended their congregation almost every Sunday for years. They served, their kids went to Sunday School – yet they were never once invited into anyone’s home. They were present but never felt they truly belonged. Heartbreaking, isn’t it?

Real welcoming goes far beyond a smile at the door or a quick handshake at morning tea. It’s a culture – a whole-congregation way of being – where people move from guests to family.

With Christmas now ‘on the way’, we have a prime opportunity to plant seeds of belonging that will flourish long after the decorations come down.

What Does a Welcoming Church Culture Actually Look Like?

Christ at the centre. Everything flows from Jesus being “before all things” – his Word proclaimed, his table set, his people sent. When Christ is at our centre, he forgives, strengthens, blesses, and sends us. And he promises to go ahead of us into our neighbourhoods and conversations when we leave church to be church.

Hospitality beyond the front door. Yes, greeters matter – but so do the moments during worship, at morning tea, in midweek follow-up, and around our dinner tables.

Making things accessible. Love for strangers and newcomers shows up in clear signage, simple instructions, and sensitivity to different ages and abilities. All of this says: “We prepared a place for you. You’re precious to God – and to us!”

Everyone’s responsibility. Welcoming isn’t just for the rostered team. Keep an eye out for the person sitting alone. Make space in pews and conversations. Invite, include, remember names.

Intentionally intergenerational. Children, youth, adults, and elders all bring gifts. Give every generation a voice in worship, leadership, and fellowship.

Connected beyond the car park. Build bridges of service and listening in your local area so people encounter Christ’s love before they ever step through your church doors.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Want to improve your welcome over the next 30 days? Try these:

• The 5-Minute Rule. For the first five minutes after worship, speak only with someone you don’t know or don’t know well. Then catch up with your usual crowd. (Leaders, model this every week!)
• Two-Name Challenge. Learn two new names each Sunday. Put them in your phone and use them next time you see those people.
• The Plus-One Invitation. Add this simple line to every ministry invitation: “Bring someone with you.” That old working-bee magic – friendship while serving – still works beautifully.
• Explain As You Go. When you stand, kneel, or receive communion, briefly explain in plain language: “If you’re visiting, here’s what this means and how you can participate.”
• Open-Table Hospitality. Every fortnight, have three households host simple meals – soup, barbecue, toasties. Mix long-term members with newer faces and different generations around each table.
• Gentle Follow-Up. Within 48 hours of someone’s first visit, send a short note or make a call: “Lovely to meet you. Any questions? Want to join us for morning tea next week?” Keep it warm, not pushy. Research shows this is often more powerful coming from lay members than pastors!
• Pray for Belonging. Include a weekly prayer acknowledging newcomers and seekers (without naming them, of course), asking Jesus to help us recognise those he’s building into his church as “living stones.”
• Intergenerational Moments. Try a child-led welcome, youth testimony, or elder’s blessing once a month.

Looking Ahead

As we move toward Christmas, let’s prepare not just beautiful services but a shared life – a community where strangers become friends and friends become family. Why? Because we are the church, Jesus Christ is our head, and he goes before us, walks with us, and sends us out – to join with him in his mission to the world.