Pastor’s Message

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me..” (Matthew 25:35b)

During these summer months I see a number of visitors that attend worship at St. John. Showing hospitality is an early Christian practice. Other examples of hospitality are found in Acts 16:14-15; 17:5-9; 18:7-8; 21:8.

Pastors love people who visit because the Pastor wants these visitors to become a regular attendee to hear God’s Word and become part of the fellowship of believers. Why do visitors choose to visit in the first place? Perhaps you’ve been or know of these kinds of visitors:

Testers – these visitors are just looking around…perhaps for a new church…perhaps because they are dissatisfied where they currently attend church. They may feel they are not growing at their current church, or they aren’t completely satisfied with the leadership, the programs, or the opportunities for service available. If testers find what they are looking for, they’ll be back, but most likely, there is a specific fit they are seeking. These are the folks who need to have their questions answered!

Pleasers – these visitors are usually coming to appease someone who asked them. They have less interest in attending church than they have in satisfying the request of a spouse or friend. They are usually asked to attend a Christmas, Easter or special occasion service of some kind. They are hard folks to get to “stick” to church unless the Holy Spirit moves their heart for attending church to become their personal desire. For these visitors, the person inviting them is just as important as the visitor in keeping them, but helping the pleaser feel welcome gives a good chance of seeing them return.

Seekers – these are the people who know they are missing something in life but aren’t sure what it is. Church may simply be another option, or it may be the only option, but these are the true unchurched. These visitors are a mission field. If we introduce them to Christ, they become forever loyal to the church where they found Him. Making sure we only “preach Christ crucified” (1 Cor. 1:23) allows the Holy Spirit to make that heart turn toward our Savior.

Jumpers – these visitors seldom stay long at one church. They get upset at something the church does, the church enters a building program that scares them away, or they simply grow bored. Likely they’ll only stick for a while at the new church, too, so we shouldn’t take it personally if they disappear, as it may not be anything we do or don’t do. We just enjoy them while they are with us.

Investors – Most likely, these people moved to our community or some major issue caused them to leave their current church. These visitors are active church attendees looking for a new long-term home. They are ready to quickly commit and serve. It’s important that we “plug” these people in as soon as possible.

Again, I love visitors; and so should our “members.” Knowing why someone is visiting St. John often helps in the way we respond to him or her and gives us a better chance of keeping them. Let us “welcome the stranger” in our midst at St. John until by the Holy Spirit’s leading they are no longer “strangers!” Because we were all strangers and aliens because of sin, our Lord bore our sin on the cross and died and rose again to bring us into His family.

May our Lord bless our welcome to those who visit St. John!

In service to the KING of kings,

Pastor Mueller +

“For I resolved to know nothing while with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Cor. 2:2)