Welcoming

Dear St Andrew’s,

I hope to encourage you with a snapshot of the visitors we have had to church over the last month. In April we had 2 significant events: Easter and HUB Sunday. At Easter we had 125 visitors over the weekend, and at HUB Sunday, we had 53 (19 families, 12 who were unchurched). This is extraordinary! But as well as these special events, we have had visitors to every service, every week (bar one). This is truly something to praise God for!!!

But the joy does not stop there. A highlight during this month has been seeing how so many of you have welcomed those who have come. Warm and friendly greetings, invitations to morning tea/supper, interested conversations – these are the things you hope to see amongst God’s people. And St Andrew’s, you have done these things, naturally and willingly.

An article in The Southern Cross last year (Feb/Mar 2025) noted that the most impactful thing for a visitor is simple: someone from the church taking the initiative to connect. That may sound obvious, but it’s significant. While formal welcomers play an important role, it’s informal conversations with other church members that leave the deepest impression.

The article also highlighted the three most awkward moments for a newcomer: before the service starts, any ‘say hello to the person next to you’ breaks in a service, and the first 30 seconds after a service ends. These are opportunities for us, to put a visitor at ease. And interestingly, it doesn’t matter if the conversation is brief or a little clunky, the willingness to engage is what matters most.

St Andrew’s, what a delight to see our visitors being so warmly welcomed by you all!

Perhaps this Sunday, you can be praying in advance for those who will visit our church. Maybe you feel inspired to come a little early to church, so you are ready to chat with someone new. Perhaps you’ll look for someone as soon as the church service ends who is new and alone and you can ease the awkward silence for them with a warm hello.

What you are doing is not only effective, but also obedient! In Romans 15:7, Paul urges the Roman Christians to: ‘Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.’ What a privilege to share the riches of Christ’s blessings with those who walk through our doors. I pray it is the ‘welcome home’ they have come searching for.

Blessings,

Vanessa