MORRISON-RUHL Welcome new faces to the feast

I remember the first time I attended a formal dinner without my parents.
It was a junior high awards dinner, and I was a nervous wreck. What if I dropped my napkin or spilled my drink? I struggled through the evening trying to do everything according to the rules of etiquette, and the evening proved to be a pleasant, memorable milestone.
Since the devastation of 9/11 and the moving cinematography of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ," our churches have seen an increase in attendance. There are many new faces encountered each week. Usually, during the beginning of the service, the congregation is asked to shake hands and welcome visitors, which we do with a smile. On occasion we notice that a visitor may not have a Bible or may not fully participate in worship. Sometimes a church member may share a text or open a pew Bible and hand it to the visitor, but such occasions are not very frequent. We are hesitant because we don't want to offend the visitors.
For those of us who attend our churches often, participating in the service is routine and no big deal. However, we fail to consider something very important. This isn't always the case with the visitor, who may feel like I did at my first formal dinner.
Critical vs. nurturing
People who are new to our churches need help assimilating. Simple things like responses to prayer, musical performances, participation in the sacraments and other forms of worship are not second nature to everybody. All too often we assume a critical rather than nurturing stance when making such observations. Think about how reluctant many men are to ask directions of strangers, and transfer this to new men and their families who are sitting next to us in church. (Sorry guys!)
New people will never go hungry in our churches because we welcome them with potluck dinners, picnics and other food-laden activities. But what about spiritual food?
Small groups and mentoring programs are wonderfully effective, but what if the newcomer hasn't been introduced to them, may not feel comfortable participating in a new concept or merely doesn't have time? Do we fluff this off and leave it to the pastoral staff once again?
It is humanly impossible for church leaders to make contact with every person who arrives at the sanctuary doors; however, it is not impossible for us to reach out.
Breaking the ice
Instead of hurriedly leaving the service, thinking merely of where to have lunch or how much time remains for doing whatever else we've planned, engage in a short conversation with a newcomer. It's a great icebreaker and will show that you really care about your church and the people whose lives you've touched. Matthew 5:16 tells us, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
However, your responsibility doesn't stop there either. Collective worship is a feast to which God invites us at every service. When we invite guests for dinner, we expect the entire family to see that they are not only comfortable, but well-fed. As adults we need to provide spiritual welcomes as well. 2 Timothy 4:2 tells us to "preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage -- with great patience and careful instruction."
Sharing faith
Established Christians have much to share about how God has blessed our lives, how we grow in our daily walk with him, how we study the Word, and in the case of questions about worship practices, how certain elements of worship have strengthened our faith. God's family of believers, no matter how new the members, is important.
When there were questions about ceremonial practices in the church in Galatia, the Apostle Paul gave specific directions for dealing with new Gentile converts to Christianity. He instructed in Galatians 6:10, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers." It is so important that we look beyond ourselves and take advantage of the opportunities God puts before us.
In the old hymn "Come and Dine," we find the words: "Jesus has a table spread, where the saints of God are fed. He invites his chosen people; come and dine."
He has extended the invitation, but it's up to us to help make the guests comfortable.
XTraciene C. Morrison-Ruhl is a retired teacher from the Youngstown City School district. She attends Old North Church in Canfield, where she is leader of Women's Ministries Bible Study.