Pastor's Page

Dear Friends in Christ,

I'm not absolutely sure what you, as individual congregation members, are doing, but whatever it is, keep it up!

We've had a number of people who have visited the congregation between Christmas and now, more than on an average year. While some of them are above 50, the vast majority have been in their 20s and 30s with children. In addition, the majority have visited our congregation several times, and then asked about how to become members of the congregation.

This past March, we had 18 adults and 12 children become members of Trinity. It's the largest group we've had for years. Of those adults, 4 were over 50, and 14 were in their 20s and 30s with kids. Since then, we've had quite a few more visitors, both singles and families, younger and older adults.

What does it take for young families to feel comfortable in a new congregation? It takes a sense of hospitality and welcome expressed by current members. There's nothing more uncomfortable to visit a church where children aren't welcome in worship and when members express their displeasure at children in worship through frowns and angry looks. Several of our new young families have commented on how understanding our members have been when their kids were a little noisier than expected. That kind of understanding is experienced as hospitality and welcome by visitors and newcomers.

What does it take for anyone to feel comfortable in a new congregation? It takes a sense of connection that goes along with that hospitality and welcome. There's nothing more uncomfortable for a visitor than to go through a worship service and then leave the building without being acknowledged by someone other than the pastor. Visitors expect the pastor to acknowledge their presence, but they're warmed when someone other than the pastor greets them and shares a few words of conversation. Several of our new members have commented on how members of the church have taken a few moments from their friends and had a brief conversation with someone they didn't know. That kind of acknowledgment is experienced as connection by visitors and newcomers.

What does it take for someone to feel a deeper involvement in a new congregation? It takes a sense of openness on the part of the smaller ministry and activity groups to new faces and new ideas that new members bring with them. Church members tend to prefer 'things the way they are,' which is a sure recipe for stagnation. A couple of our new members have already joined ministry teams and a music group. They've mentioned how 'veteran' members of these groups have listened to their ideas and valued their presence. That kind of listening and valuing leads to deeper involvement in the life and faith of a congregation.

Hospitality, welcoming, connections and involvement. These are attitudes and actions that can either make or break a visitor's or new member's experience with a congregation. It seems that members of Trinity have gotten the hang of these things, and people are responding. They want to be a part of a group of people called together by Christ to be his hands and heart in this world. They want to be a part of a group of people who are accepting and open. They want to experience the love of God in Jesus Christ through the actions and attitudes of others so that their own faith might grow as they connect with other people of faith.

If that's what you're doing as the people of God, don't stop now! It's drawing the attention of people who have heard of Trinity and who come to see for themselves that there is a group of followers of Jesus who know themselves to be the Body of Christ that wants to share God's love in Jesus with all people. It's enough to warm an old preacher's heart.

Yours in Christ's Service,

Pastor Bill