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Walking into church can be intimidating, whether for the first time or after a period of absence, whether you are a non-believer or a believer. Wouldnât it be wonderful if your church was a place where everyone received a warm welcome? A place where newcomers can quickly feel at home and where non-believers receive the welcome of Godâs people alongside the welcome of Jesus?
This warm, practical book by Jen Oshman explores what the Bible says to help readers discover how to make space for others, however different they are to them, in their church and in their lives. She also gives practical advice, drawing on good practice from churches around the world in a range of situations. In a world of division, individualism, and isolation, readers will see that ...their church can witness to Christ by being a place of welcome, community, and connection.
Whether youâre a pastor looking to encourage your congregation to welcome others or a church member wanting to see unbelievers come to faith and help everyone feel part of the family, this resource is for you.
This book is part of the Love Your Church series, a collection of thoughtful and practical books that will inspire every church member with a biblical vision of what it means to be a local community of Godâs family. Church members can explore together what it means to belong, to welcome, to gather, to care, to serve and to honor one another, and to witness and send people out to spread the gospel.
Pg 41 encouraged my type A schedule and to-do list loving heart: âDo I make space in my life, and in my schedule, for those whose lives are messy or awkward or just very different from my own?â
She reminds us of the truth at the heart of the gospel - that we are, by nature, enemies of God. And that only though the shed blood of Jesus are we welcomed into Godâs family. This should spur us into welcoming others in the same way.
Chapters 6 and 7 were not my favorite. She did point out that she was ...not advocating for making âvisiting a church so convenient and attractive that we demolish the gospelâ which I appreciated because many of the surrounding pages made it sound that way. Outreach is important, but it is by no means the primary focus or purpose of a church. My personal opinion is that far too many churches focus on bringing in people and wha results is the gospel is watered down or replaced with emotional responses to culture. Expositing the word is replaced with feel good, topical preaching. Of course church should be welcoming, but we should raise up those who join us, educating and encouraging them to the truth of the gospel instead of focusing on not offending anyone. She also says âAn inward focus harms a church, while an outward focused brings life.â Followed with âChurches that maintain an outward focus are the healthiest.â These seem like arbitrary statements. Define healthiest? Large numbers donât equate to healthy, gospel-centered churches. For both examples, the focus is wrong. The ultimate focus of any healthy church is God. I do think some of these statements and ideas fleshed out in conversation with the author may show that we align more than this book has led me to believe.
In her conclusion she does clarify that God alone provides the growth and encourages us to âgive our lives over to the task of planting seeds and watering themâ while also reminding us of John 6:44 and that no one can come to Jesus unless that Father draws him.
We found this so helpful that we made it the basis for a term's preaching. Across 7 chapters we were encouraged to rethink welcoming both at church and in our wider circles, and to welcome people with the welcome we have received from God.
All in all a great package.
Short book = accessible.
Discussion questions/worksheets = small groups could join in.
Videos = further input.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Welcome by Jen Oshman. How we welcome visitors, people perhaps apprehensive about visiting a church for the first time or even how we welcome people who have been coming to church for many years; these are aspects that many churches overlook or give very little consideration to.
This book firstly gives a biblical perspective to these issues, and most importantly gives encouragement and practical ideas, based on years of experience by the author.
I heartily recommend this book for church leaders, elders, deacons, indeed to all church members. Iâm sure they will find it challenging and ...encouraging.
