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 It seems simple enough
to walk up to someone and say, “Hello, my name is John Doe, and I want to welcome you to our meeting.” But it must
have some dreadful effect on brethren, if the few who try it is any indication.
I know
many of the regular excuses given. ““They” rush out and are gone before we can get to them. Right! Now that we
know “they” do this, “we” can postpone our visits with friends and relatives, and hurry out to foyer and parking
lots to intercept them. “We” are the ones who go the second mile — remember? “We” do not wear our feelings on our
sleeves, but show “them” what Christianity has done for us.
I dislike
hypocritical back-slapping and glad-hand tactics.” Yes, so do I. Hypocrisy has no place in the conduct of saints,
so leave it out. Our greetings should be warm and sincere. Or, could we mean we are not happy to see the visitor
at the meeting? If this is the case there is need for a completely new attitude. I sometimes suspect that our lack
of concern for others is dire to our own failure to understand and appreciate the blessings in Christ. Every true
Christian must surely be happy and anxious for others to hear the news.
Most
of our visitor’s are members of the church, and as much obligated to come to me as I to them.” I even heard of
one brother who argued that “agape” love does not necessitate affection. Here is legality gone to seed. The sacrificial
selfless nature of “agape” is far deeper and more meaningful than mere affection, or love of the lovely. But
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affection.
It is the very thing that would make us out—going and eager to cultivate relations we might otherwise ignore. In
Rom. 12: 9-10 we read “Let love (agape be unassumed . . .. In brotherly love to one another loving warmly. “ (Philos
and phileo in last uses: Marshall.)
We are
people; we work with people in our efforts to save souls. There is no perversion of the purpose and work of the
church necessitated by our being friendly and courteous to all people everywhere. Particularly should we cultivate
this attitude toward saints and non-saints who visit our places of assembly.
As a
“traveling evangelist” I often see rank disregard for this simple courtesy during a meeting. I have met stranger’s,
taken them to local member and introduced them, and soon after leaving them to find others, note that the member
has said a perfunctory “Hello” and then abandoned the visitor. Many brethren seem to have no feeling of obligation
to make the stranger feel at home, obtain his name and address for future use, or even show the courtesy we would
display in the business world
Perhaps
some qualified member should be appointed to make such contacts, and go to the exits early for that purpose. But
if we wish to avoid mechanical “greeters” — if we would develop a genuinely warm church — all members need to cultivate
this grace. Your friendly handshake genuine welcome, and personal concern may be the only things, at this point
that can prepare a stranger to hear Christ
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