“OUTSIDERS”
WELCOME?
Do Newcomers to
KEMC Feel Welcome?
Are these church signs welcoming? “Don’t let worry kill
you; let the church help,” “Too hot to keep changing sign; sin bad; Jesus good;
details inside,” “Honk if you love Jesus; text while driving if you want to
meet him,” and “Whoever stole our A/C units, keep one, it is hot where you’re
going.”
Imagine
approaching a church with a sign over the main entrance that read “Outsiders
Welcome.” What would be your initial reaction? You might think that this is a
church that is open to newcomers; you would expect a warm and friendly
reception.
But
wait, do you really want to begin your relationship with a church that labels
you an outsider from the start? Nevertheless, you decide to attend this church
and see what happens. As you worship with this group of people you begin to
feel that you are an outsider. Certain markers continually remind you that you
are new, not from around here and uninitiated to this group’s way of doing
things. You are an outsider and you begin to wonder what you have to do to be
“in” or considered one of the family, as it were.
A long
time ago, I read that small communities are the hardest to break into as a
newcomer. The article said it took ten years to be considered one of the pack.
To a certain extent it is true. But just because it is true doesn’t mean that
is how it ought to be. And in the case of the church community, where Christ
welcomes all who will come to him, this is a tragic reality.
We have
read in Acts about the good news of Jesus being spread to Gentiles and how they
responded with enthusiasm. The church rejoiced at the news (14:27) that God had
opened the door to Gentiles. But it was one thing for the Jerusalem leaders to
approve the conversion of Gentiles; it was another thing to approve conversion
without circumcision and of faith in Jesus without the works of the law. Was
their vision big enough to see that the gospel was bigger than their
traditions, that it was good news for the whole world, that it was more than a
sect but an international family of God?
Do we
have a vision that embraces our newcomers, not as guests, but as those who
belong to the family of God?
What do I need to do to be “IN”?
While the church at Syrian Antioch rejoiced in Gentiles
coming to faith in Christ, some men came from Jerusalem to teach them something
about inclusion. They claimed to be from James (brother of Jesus, leader of the
church) and to have authority to teach and correct.[i]
They said, “Unless you are circumcised
according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved” (15:1). What they
were really saying was “In order to become a Christian, you must first become a
Jew.” Otherwise you are a second-class Christian, you’re not really IN.
The
issue had a socio-cultural aspect to it since faith in Christ was conceived in
the Jewish context. It also had a theological aspect to it in that Jesus was
born under the law, was circumcised according to tradition and he himself
declared that he had come not to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Mt.
5:17-20). You can see their point.
But Paul
would have none of this. It was ten years since Peter helped Cornelius come to
faith in Christ. Peter started eating with Gentiles; ham sandwiches and bacon
and eggs. Then some Jews from the circumcision party came and put fear in him.
That’s when Paul rebuked him for his hypocrisy (Gal. 2:11-14) [read 14].
The
issue of being “IN” can be clarified by a series of questions: Is the sinner
saved by the grace of God in and through Christ crucified when they believe?
Has Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection done everything necessary for
salvation? Or are we saved partly by grace and partly by our good works and
religious duty? Are Gentile believers a sect of Judaism, or authentic members
of a multi-national family?
This was
the tension. A culture-clash mixed with two different views of Scripture.
We don’t
have an issue with circumcision here at KEMC, but you can’t deny that we have
socio-cultural markers that make it hard to break in and belong. Sometimes it’s
simply the language we use on Sunday morning. Do we call you “guests” or
“newcomers”? If you are new here and we call you a guest, we might as well tag
you as an “outsider.” A guest is just here for a visit; a newcomer, it is
hoped, will stay.
Is there
a special code language we use in our church? Do newcomers have trouble
decoding it? You better believe it. A pastor was a visiting speaker at several
churches and noted this code in bulletins: “The WMU will meet in the CLC in the
room where the GA’s usually meet.” We don’t do that do we? Ask a newcomer what
“West of 60” is, or what 7691 means and what it’s for. How about our Multi-gen
Faspa? Those are three words that the uninitiated would like explained. (I’m as
much to blame as anyone for assuming we all know).
No we
don’t have something as awkward as circumcision keeping people “outside,” but
we do need to evaluate the sincerity of our hospitality.
How you are “IN” with God
Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem by the church at
Antioch to bear witness to Gentile evangelism. A great council of elders and
apostles was held to decide the issue of whether Gentiles (non-Jews) could be
followers of Christ without being circumcised or obeying the law.
Please
note that those who were of the circumcision party are called “believers” in v.
5. They knew the Scriptures and they loved the Lord, and they understood – from
their perspective – that this was the right way to follow Christ.
After
intense debate, Peter (not Paul), stood up and shared his perspective of the
gospel and who was IN with Jesus. These four points are timeless in considering
who is IN concerning the body of believers, the church. Peter said this:
a) You’re IN by
God’s choice – From the very beginning of Peter’s ministry God taught him
this lesson. Peter had a vision (Acts 10) whereby God revealed his desire for
non-Jews to join God’s family through faith in Christ. Peter told the council, “Brothers, you know that in the early days
God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word
of the gospel and believe” (15:7).
The OT
tells of God’s intention to draw in all the nations to his house of worship.
God has always wanted to shine his light of truth on the nations (Is. 9). And
when Jesus was born, old Simeon at the temple declared Jesus to be “a light for the Gentiles” (Lk 2:32).
God chose you to be IN – to always be IN the family no matter what church you
come to, as long as you believe in Jesus.
b) You’re IN by
God’s witness – The proof of belonging rests in the presence of the Holy
Spirit. Peter told the council that God himself “bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to
us” (15:8b). Gentiles had their hearts cleansed by the same Spirit as the
Jews – there was no difference. This is where the gift of tongues was a visible
token of their acceptance at that time.
c) You’re IN; no
heavy yoke required – Then Peter challenges them to their faces that the
effort to obey the law by trying their hardest was nothing but a burdensome
yoke upon their necks. It always has been – the yoke of the law breaks the neck
because no one ever came to God by being good. But the heavy yoke of the law
has been replaced by the easy yoke of grace through Jesus (Mt. 11:29-30).
d) You’re IN
through the grace of Jesus – Peter’s final point is the blockbuster. “But we believe that we will be saved
through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will” (15:11). He could
have said “they will be saved just as we are,” but Peter puts a twist in this
statement saying, “we will be saved, just as they are.” But there is no
distinction. Salvation is through faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ alone.
Are you
new here today? You’re IN – we love you and accept you as a brother or sister
in Christ. Are you a long-time KEMCer? As one who has been IN, make the effort
to draw newcomers IN, making them at home in this circle of faith and worship.
Because we are all IN who have Jesus as Lord and Savior.
For the Sake of Church Harmony
Now James stands up after Paul and Barnabas to affirm
what Peter said. James was the accepted leader of the Jerusalem church and
people listened when he spoke.
First,
James quoted a scripture from Amos 9 and relates it to how God would seek out
the Gentiles to be a part of his family. I love how these great men of faith
back up what they say with the Bible.
Then
James decrees “that we should not trouble
those of the Gentiles who turn to God” and adds something very strange to
our ears. James says that they should avoid four things: abstain from meat
sacrificed to idols, abstain from sexual immorality, avoid meat from an animal
that has been strangled, and from blood (which might mean murder).
Why
would James put these restrictions on the Gentiles?
I think
there are two closely linked principles here that James expresses for the sake
of harmony between Jews and Gentiles in the church: We accept you, but you have
to accept us too. These matters that James highlights are sensitive points for
the Jews. Unity and harmony in this situation means being careful to respect
what is delicate to one group.
What
does that mean for us as KEMC? It means that we want to welcome newcomers from
every background into our fold and make you feel at home with us (and not just
ten years from now). It also means that we have an identity at KEMC that has
been shaped by many aspects. For instance, the name “Mennonite” appears on our
sign. That is not a cultural reference (or it shouldn’t be) but a perspective
of Christianity that can be claimed by people who don’t speak Low German or
aren’t named “Friesen.” And you don’t have to eat high fat pork products to be
one of us.
We are
all saved through faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ alone. That makes us
one family.
Chapter 15 of Acts is the turning point in Luke’s book.
There are subtle shifts that take place in the story to tell us something
significant. In this chapter Jerusalem is still the focus of interest and Peter
makes his final appearance in the story. From here on, Paul takes center stage
and Jerusalem fades to the background as Rome becomes the target. But here in
ch. 15 we witness the gospel being liberated from its Jewish swaddling clothes
into being a message for all humankind. Jews and Gentiles are reconciled into
one people of God.
That’s
an important message for the church today. All who are saved through faith in
Jesus are IN. Newcomers – you shouldn’t feel odd in our midst.
But
there are some obstacles that you newcomers face and that we who have been here
awhile need to erase. What are these obstacles to new people coming into this
body?
·
Family networks – there may be family circles
that are so large and so busy that they don’t have room or time to include new
people at the dinner table. Do you have room to adopt some folks into your
gatherings? (Maybe we need to promote a “Beyond Sunday Project” whereby we
bring the church to weekdays).
·
Existing Friendships – The energy of our church
may be given for existing members rather than identifying the needs of
newcomers. We may be a friendly church in the foyer – with those we know – but
be aware of the newcomer standing alone.
·
Church history – We don’t want to get bogged
down in the past so that we don’t see the future. Some of us still reference
former members who have not been here for a long time. To a newcomer those
names don’t mean anything.
Someone did a Twitter poll asking first-time guests why
they chose not to return to a particular church. Number one on the list? Having
a stand up and greet one another in the worship service. I was surprised too.
It actually made guests feel uncomfortable. Others included non-genuine
friendliness in church members, lack of church information, a bad church
website, poor signage, and (as I mentioned before) insider church language.
My
intention is not to bash our church. If any of us feel badly because of these
lists, maybe it’s because it’s true. But I know that there is genuine warmth
and a caring heart in this body of believers. I know the generosity you possess
because I have received it. Above all I have witnessed a passionate love for
Jesus Christ and his truth in you. So we, not I or Pete, but we, have something
to share with you newcomers. Sometimes we just forget ourselves.
I pray
that we would be a church that welcomes newcomers with the hospitality and
generosity that we have experienced in Christ – for his glory.
AMEN
No comments:
Post a Comment