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When our family moved around the country, we judged which church God wanted us to attend in part by the friendliness or unfriendliness of the congregation.

Was God's love shining through the people, or not?

Did they show hospitality?

With that in mind, we've tried to extend a heartfelt welcome to newcomers at our church on Sunday mornings.

I know from experience it isn't easy.

Years ago, when I first became a Christian and began to attend church, I was delighted to greet newcomers by introducing myself, then presenting them to the pastor and others out on the "coffee patio."

Unfortunately, even then my memory was far from perfect, and people sometimes replied, "You introduced yourself when I was here last time!" (It often turned out to be months ago.)

After a number of such rebuffs, I felt not only foolish but also more and more reluctant to extend a welcome. Why don't they greet me if I've spoken to them before? I thought. Why should I always be the one to take the initiative?

One Sunday morning after the church service, as I stood in line to shake hands with our pastor, I felt compelled to introduce myself to the middle-aged woman behind me.

No, she'll just say we've met before! I thought. I'm tired of feeling foolish.

Nonetheless, it seemed urgent that I greet her, and it was "now or never" because the line of people waiting to speak with the pastor was growing short. Soon she'd be gone.

Suddenly the Lord's words, "Love one another," melted my hardened heart. Surely the verse meant that we should welcome one another as well.

I asked God to forgive me, turned to her, and said, "I'm not sure that I've met you. I'm-"

To my astonishment, tears burst from her eyes. "You'll be amazed at what you've just done," she said.

"What's that?" I inquired.

"I promised God that if one person besides the pastor spoke to me this morning, I would return. I ... haven't been to church in ... some years."

I swallowed hard, then barely recovered in time to get her name and present her to the pastor. That afternoon, I telephoned her to see if she had special needs. Like most of us, she needed love.

Nowadays I greet people who appear to be newcomers, no matter if I'm rebuffed or not. I pray for God's love to shine through me and try not to mind if sometimes I appear foolish for Him.

Reprinted from the Free Methodist Evangel (June 29, 2003). © Elaine L Schulte, who writes in Fallbrook, California. Used by permission.

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