Pastoral Letters

Welcoming & Caring for Our New Friends

August 21, 2022 Author:Elder Liu Kerh Li
There were a few times when I was overseas during Sunday Worship. Thus I searched on the internet for local churches to attend Sunday Worship. These churches that I visited were not big congregations, but quite like TOLCC. Therefore, when there was a new face during worship, the church members quickly noticed it. Indeed, before the worship service ended, the church would officially welcome new visitors for the day. After service, sometimes a few church members would approach me for small chats with words of welcome or regards. They would warmly invite me to join them for lunch or dinner. Whenever I received their warm welcome, it truly touched me, and made me feel the kindness of the church. But this does not happen to every church that I visited. There are instances where the brothers and sisters of that church did not realise there was a newcomer or were unsure of how to approach a stranger. Normally, one would talk to people that they know best. To a newcomer like me in church, they would find it difficult without an introduction from someone they knew. Of course, I am but a passer-by. It would hardly be possible that I would be going back to that same church again. But if I were truly someone who came to that church to seek the gospel, it would be a pity if they could not build with me some form of interaction during my first visit. In that case, I probably would never step into this church again. That said, it is not an easy task for someone to walk into church, regardless if they came alone or with a friend. It is not an easy task because this is not something a person would do on a Sunday. Moreover, to that person church is a strange place. Often, when new friends are willing to do that, even if they do so with some hesitation or some unwillingness, they have picked up courage to come into the church. For this reason, whenever new friends step into the church, we must size the opportunity to welcome them, and let them feel at ease in attending the worship service and know the church and the members. Do not let their courage go to waste. Of course, get to know them and let them feel comfortable with us.

We were once newcomers of the church too. Do you remember your first experience? What made you decide to stay in TOLCC? This reason could only be one: it was definitely due to the care the church gave you; the brothers and sisters of the church got along well with you. Do you still remember the areas you had to get used to when you first came to church? And how did you overcome them? I am sure there were one or two brothers or sisters in Christ who stayed by your side to help and address your concerns. We hope that every newcomer would experience the same warmth and help when they come to our church, and the church would also have a system of welcoming our new friends. It should not just be the work of the same group of people welcoming them. Hence, work has started in the English and Chinese congregations to welcome new friends. There are separate welcome teams in English and Chinese congregations. They would take turns to welcome new friends on a monthly basis. Caring and hosting new friends is an art and it takes experience. Brothers and sisters in Christ in the welcome teams would share their experience and learning points.

That said, the church setting up welcome teams does not mean that the responsibility of befriending newcomers falls solely on the shoulders of these brothers and sisters in Christ. Welcoming and caring for new friends is everyone’s responsibility.

Start with some simple things. Newcomers to the church are largely unfamiliar with our worship order. Thus, we could help not only by merely giving out our weekly. You could also turn the pages and go through the programme with them. You could also introduce them to our church pastor. This will help the newcomers know what is ahead for them. It is also an icebreaker. When the worship chairman gives the announcements, help them turn to the announcement page. And when the service is over, have the habit of greeting at least some of the newcomers, and welcoming them. Do not only fellowship people we know. The New Friends Ministry would be looking out for new friends. If however, the new friends are welcomed by the whole church. this would make them feel the church warmth in greater measure.

“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13). Love is the trademark of a Christian. We need to show love to our brothers and sisters in Christ and meeting their needs in practical ways. But we also need to show love to our new friends who come, and provide good hospitality to them and care for them. When we were new friends, we received such hospitality. We should now share this love with our new friends.

translated by Elaine Chew