Warm Welcome for Wary People
“Welcome!” This is the greeting we received today, as we walked our youngest child into her kindergarten classroom to meet her teacher for the first time. As we looked around the room at parents and children, we were impressed by the warm welcome given to wary students, as they entered this strange room ready to embark on the beginning of many years of first days of school. From the name tags on the tables, to the personalized cubbies, to the packets left for each child, everything in the classroom communicated, “Welcome! We’ve been expecting you, and we’re glad you’re here.” By the time we left, our daughter felt so comfortable and welcomed, she gave her teacher a giant hug, joyfully declaring, “See you Tuesday!”
All of us know the feeling of walking into unfamiliar territory for the first time. Whether it’s a new classroom, job, city or neighborhood, we have all experienced the wary feeling of being a stranger, wondering if we will be accepted, welcomed and embraced. This is especially true in the local church, where relationships among members are tight and where the language and culture may be unfamiliar. This is why those who belong to a church must make intentional steps to communicate, “Welcome! We’ve been expecting you, and we’re glad you’re here.” But where does this begin?