Caring for new church members

 

“Celebrate what you want to see more of.”

                                                    Thomas J. Peters

 

Savannah Cottrell writes: “My parents and I were flying home from a quick getaway up North when we noticed something peculiar about the flight we were boarding home. There were tinsel decorations strung on the ceiling of the plane, and country songs were playing over the loudspeaker. I heard from one of the crew that the reason for all the decorations was because this was the pilot’s final flight before his retirement from the airline.

  Later on, I noticed pictures of this pilot from over the course of his career decorating the overhead compartment doors, and commemorative napkins that the pilot’s wife had printed specially for this flight. Once we landed, the flight attendants said kind words about the pilot, two fire trucks sprayed water on the plane in his honor as a celebratory gesture, and we as passengers celebrated the pilot with noisemakers.

  After that flight, I realized that there was a similar – greater – rejoicing in Heaven every time a new Christian believes that Jesus is the Son of God…as it’s documented in Luke 15:10. Can you imagine…a celebration greater than anything on this earth in your honor?”

  On the back of your bulletin, you’ll find our purpose statement: Grace Church exists to glorify our Heavenly Father by continually making more followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s why we’re here. While at Grace, we’re excited when Christ followers who have moved into our community or for some reason, come to us from another church, yet that’s not our purpose. Transfer growth only helps our church grow. We are committed and our purpose is to see heaven grow, seeing the Body of Christ grow as individuals commit their lives to Christ and trust Him as their personal Lord and Savior.

  The new birth is only the first step. As a family, of brothers and sisters in Christ, we have biblical responsibilities to each one of them. We want to see them and every believer at Grace grow into a mature Christian.

  The evidence of spiritual maturity is reproducing new disciples. In other words, Jesus’ purpose for each one of us is to become a spiritual parent. As Christians, we are called to make disciples – to do our part to reproduce Christ’s life in others who don’t yet know our Savior. In Jesus’ last words before He left this earth He commanded us: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

  Christ’s mission of spiritual reproduction must be a priority for every believer. Just as the human race continues because we physically reproduce, so Christianity continues on this planet because Christians spiritually reproduce new believers. The reason the Church in America is shrinking is not so much that people are leaving the church as it is that the average Christian has abandoned or worse, never participated, in the mission the Lord Jesus gave us. So, how can we help new believers grow?

  Pray for them by name. Do you pray for your family? Then, please pray for your spiritual family, particularly those who are young in the Lord and starting a new walk with Christ. Pray that they will grow in spiritual maturity. Pray for them to have a consistent quiet time to read the Bible and pray regularly. Pray for understanding when he/she reads the Bible and that they will grow in their life.

  Pray for their spiritual protection. When we commit our lives to Christ, we switched teams, and now have a vicious enemy. Pray for them to depend on the Holy Spirit to overcome sins they may have struggled with.

  Pray for the person to be able to witness with spontaneity about their new life in Christ. Others around them will wonder what’s happened and brought this change. They’ll have great opportunities to share their faith.

   Include them in fellowship times within and outside our church. Fellowship is crucial to helping a new Christian feel included. It can be as small as sitting with them in a small group or at a church event and making sure that they know that they’re included in the various events our church may have. Invite them to your own home for a meal or to an area restaurant, or just out for coffee. Community life is crucial among believers. It’s vital that they feel welcome with their spiritual brothers and sisters because we’re family and part of His forever family.

  Offer a listening ear and serve them in their times of need. The Christian life is not easy. When times get rough, the newest family member should be able to come to any of their fellow Christians with their struggles without fear of judgment. It’s important to be available and take time to listen, so they can share their heart about any struggles, temptations or fears. As time passes, they’ll have more questions about God’s Word and the Christian life. They need to feel it’s safe to ask questions about the Bible or other aspects of their faith. We need to be available to them. 

  Just love them. We need to share our lives with new believers, being open and honest about the good and bad as well as what God is teaching us. They’re going to struggle. They need to know that we all struggle because while we are saved from the penalty of sin, the presence of sin and its power are continually present for each of us. When you become someone’s friend, you pull back the mask and reveal who you are.

  Becoming a new Christian brings both its joys and challenges. As a newborn needs a family, God has designed us to be a family of older brothers and sisters. They need us to be there to pray with, fellowship with, and listen to and above all, love our newest brothers and sisters in Christ, so we can build the relationship that lasts into eternity, helping them along the way to know Jesus better until we all get Home. 

Can we help you spiritually? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.