Welcoming & Serving One Another in 2026 – Words of Grace Blog – January 23, 2026

Attending church on Sundays should be more like going to a family reunion than to a concert or a movie. In other words, gathering for church comes with responsibilities and opportunities that include other people, not just us.Ok, I admit that for some people, the comparison of church attendance to a family reunion does not make church very appealing. But we can acknowledge that, at least in theory, family is to be a place of interaction, care, and service, all with a welcoming spirit.

Several decades ago, congregations began viewing and organizing themselves around the idea of being a safe place for the unchurched to be anonymous while they considered the claims of Christianity and their own faith in Jesus.

There are times when people unfamiliar with Christ and church are helped by a season of watching from the edges, listening, and considering while the Holy Spirit does the work of conviction and conversion in them.

But the downside to this approach was that it unwittingly encouraged some Christians who ought to be growing, serving disciples, to adopt the posture of the anonymous seeker. In that mindset, they attend church but seldom contribute to the body of Christ or give a welcoming hello or handshake to someone truly searching for grace and truth.

At times, faithful, Christ-loving church members are living with hardships and carrying burdens so great that just showing up is challenging and is enough. The hope for these people is that when they come to church, they figuratively “raise their hand” and are ministered to in gracious and helpful ways.

But in the general course of church-life, church members are to enter the assembly welcoming and serving one another.

Grace Community Church, let’s have a welcoming attitude and serving actions when we gather to worship in 2026. Here are some suggestions for doing so.

As always, pray and prepare your heart before you arrive at church. Think on how Christ has welcomed you into his love, his life, and his family. Then ask him to get you ready to welcome and serve your brothers and sisters, and people who may not yet be in the family of Jesus.

Then, when you arrive at church, look up and look around. Notice the people. Does someone look new to Grace? Do they look like they need help finding their way? Does someone look lonely? Do you see a friend who is having a hard time in life? Has someone been away from church, and now they are back? Do you see a practical need you can meet? Did something get spilled? Does a parent need help carrying three children plus a Bible, coat, and backpack? Does an elderly person need you to block the aisle from running children so they can safely get to their seat? Does someone come to mind for you to take to the Lord in prayer?

These are opportunities to welcome or serve someone. And there are many more. Take the opportunity and feel the joy of doing so.

Finally, go home praying for those you spoke to and served that day. If possible and appropriate, follow up on them the next week with some kind of contact.

I look forward to our next opportunity to welcome one another.

-Scott