Question: I’m wondering what your
Pastors think about all the new faces that come in and fill the church
around the Holidays? I don’t go to church every Sunday but I try.
Most Sundays, I don’t have a problem finding a seat. I always think
it’s funny that around these times, my church is full of people who
I’ve never seen before, and don’t see until the next Holiday. What do
you think about this and does this bother a Pastor?
Submitted by - JJ, Ft Wayne
Response by Pastor Rick Taylor, New Haven UMC:
I have always viewed the increased
attendance during the holidays and Holy Days as an opportunity. Would
it be better to see people on a continous basis throughout the year,
you bet.
One of the great understandings we
United Methodists have is called the prevenient grace of God. It
short, it means that God is always offering us the opportunity to
repent, say yes to grace and live with, by and in God's will.
If God is always ready to welcome
people regardless of how long they wait to connect why should I do it
differently? So, bring on the people at any time!
Response by: Pastor Don Wismer, Connexion-Fort Wayne
Answer: As for me I am thrilled to see new faces anytime they want to
show up. If someone is coming on the holidays only it likely means that
they have some connection to the body of Christ but that maybe it
hasn't become as meaningful for them as it has for others.
It tells me
they still believe and have not shut the door to their faith or to
Christ and that they want to keep that connection alive. It could also
be that the person is exploring the Christian faith to see what all the
commotion of the holiday is about.
Perhaps the person expresses their
faith in non-traditional ways such as a house church and that they want
to come just for the major celebrations of the faith. For whatever
reason someone chooses to appear on the big holidays, we should be
careful not to judge them or their motivations, but welcome them and
all people with open and loving arms. Just maybe something will light a
divine spark within them that will be a blessing in their lives.
Response by: Pastor Patrick Riecke - Triple Point Church-Fort Wayne
I am afraid that sometime Pastors forget that we are here to serve. We
are here to help people know God. Sometimes we slip into thinking that
people owe us something- giving, service, attendance, etc. The truth
is, if people only come on the holidays it's an opportunity for them to
hear the message of reconciliation with God- the message the Church
carries.
And at Triple Pointe, our philosophy is that we are here to
help people come back to church and to help people and God to be
reconciled. So, we are glad to have them.
Response by Pastor Don Williams, First Assembly of God - Fort Wayne
People come to
church for all kinds of reasons. Some come because they feel they
should and they want to continue the tradition. Some come because they
feel they must and they want to appease their guilt. Some come because
they are at the end of their rope and they need hope. Some come because
they are at the top of their game and they need purpose. Some come
because grandma asked them to and they don’t want to disappoint her.
Regardless of why they come, hopefully your church and you will receive
them with open arms. The good news is that they have come to a place
where they might just open their lives for 60 minutes or so to the
place of God’s amazing grace in their lives. That never bothers me.