"Come As You Are!"

Our sons and their families have been on a recent mini vacation in Corpus Christi, Texas. Just the other evening at twilight, they discovered a unique setting for a church. The First United Methodist Church is uniquely situated right on the bay just yards from the beach and gulf waters. While our grandson was Face Timing me the discovery at the water’s edge, his dad was sending a video of the whole experience while standing alongside of him on the sandy beach. The scene was picturesque to look up to this beautiful church across the street. This inviting portrait of the church spire in the evening silhouette of the setting sun would have made a great postcard or publicity piece!

Church on the Beach!
No kidding!

I am sure that there was a calculated and strategically planned intention behind the choice of the location for this large church. In thinking about it, my mind went crazy with the possible promotional slogans for the church’s ad campaign. First, there was the “realtor’s promo” of “Location! Location! Location!” Then, the “consumer approach” of “We’re here for you! But isn’t this a splendid view?” Of course, these other “promos” also had me laughing: “Life’s a Beach!” “Come as you are!” and “Paddle boards, flip flops and sand shovels welcome!” And I couldn’t leave this one off the list, “If you build it, they will come!”😊

While many houses of worship are not uniquely situated in such settings, we can and should work to make them just as welcoming. The Pew Research Center has studied what individuals and families are looking for in a church experience. They found that eight of ten want quality sermons, and to feel welcomed by the church staff and those who attend. Three quarters also are attracted to a church because of the style of worship and the location of the facilities. Another sixty-five percent say that a quality children’s program factored into their choice of a church. (Choosing a New Church).

Here is something to consider. You can have the best pastors and staff, the perfect location, and buildings, along with excellent programs for every age group, but it still takes concerted effort on the part of the entire congregation to see growth – spiritually and numerically! Christ followers must make a serious commitment to spiritual formation and service. We don’t just attend church services we want like a consumer who picks and chooses. We don’t try to design our own spirituality as if to say, I’ll read my Bible, pray, meditate, and do something that looks like serving others as I choose.

Since the Bible is to be our guidebook for Christianity, the Words of Jesus must be taken seriously. “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” (Matthew 16:24-25, NLT).

A welcoming spirit starts in the heart. We learn to embrace the teachings of Christ to “love God with all our hearts,” and then welcome “and love others” in His name (Matthew 22:37-40). A welcoming people of God are not just good at being polite, or engaging others because it “sells well,” or simply modeling caring concern like it’s a skill to be acquired. The genuine motivation that answers the “why” of a welcoming spirit is…we have something in Christ that this world desperately needs… salvation and eternal life!

Let’s continue to welcome people into the family of God!

Mike Keppler, retired pastor,

active churchman and

doting grandparent.

Contact: drmjkeppler@gmail.com 

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