A few weeks ago, I read about a church near Nashville, TN, that has grown from an average Sunday attendance of 33 to an average attendance of 100 in eight years – a 300% increase in attendance.  One of the pastors involved in the church is a former seminary classmate of mine.

The church attributes its growth to a simple and sincere “Welcome Statement.”

At the beginning of worship the church tells everyone:  “We ____ want you to know that no matter where you’ve come from or where you are going; what you believe or what you may doubt; what you are feeling or just not feeling; what you have or don’t have; and no matter the color of your skin, who you love or how you identify – all are welcomed into this community of faith by a God who loves you and knows you by name.”

There is room here for you to be who you are.  This is a safe place.  We will take the time to listen to you tell us who you are. We won’t force you to be someone you’re not.

How do we share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world around us in ways that bring hope and change lives?  By making others feel welcome and learning to speak their language. As followers of Jesus, we are witnesses to the amazing power of God’s Holy Spirit to change the language we speak so that strangers can hear and experience God’s mighty deeds.

Pastor Bill