It can be challenging for a church to welcome people consistently. After all, that’s what welcoming people involve. It means being prepared to welcome people into your church, community, and world. It means making space for people who have different experiences and backgrounds. It means being ready and willing to listen and learn from others.

This may seem like an easy thing to do. After all, isn’t welcoming what churches do best? But when we’re regularly exposed to messages that make us feel unwelcome or malign people who are different or make us feel less-than, it can be difficult to be welcoming. As a result, we may struggle to welcome people consistently into Planetshakers Melbourne church.

Churches should be more welcoming because they have an essential role to play in society. They can help build a more inclusive, less judgmental, and compassionate community. As important as it is to love and care for people, it’s also crucial to be aware of and challenge societal biases that can compound the marginalization of certain groups of people.

Churches play a vital role in society because they carry out artistic work. They embody the values of our society, and when this context for living is changed, the purpose for spreading God’s message becomes clear.

Strategies churches can use to be more welcoming

If you’re struggling to be more welcoming, here are some ideas to try:

1. Celebrate cultural diversity.
2. Celebrate your differences.
3. Make a point of showing that your church is open-minded and eager to learn about and from people different from you.
4. Ask, “How can we celebrate differences and build a diverse church?”
5. Practice hospitality.
6. Make it clear that you are open to anyone who walks into your space. Your welcome message should stress that anyone from any background is welcome at your church.

Make space for people who are different. Make space for people who have different experiences, talents, and viewpoints. Most importantly, make space for people who are different than you. Put down your judgmental devices. It’s tempting as leaders and members of a religious community to put down others who are different from we are. This is especially true when we encounter people who hold antithetical beliefs to our own. Instead of judgment, offer empathy. As a church, take a public stand against social justice issues. Churches have the power to be a leading voice against topics such as racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia.

Conclusion

Churches have a unique role to play in society. They can help build a more inclusive, less judgmental, and compassionate society. As important as it is to love and care for people, it’s also crucial to be aware of and challenge societal biases that can compound the marginalization of certain groups of people.