That’s what the article said, based on a survey of 8,600 people from 39 different denominations. Dr. Win Am found that, “Growing churches are more loving to each other and to visitors than declining churches.”
Am said, “Loving churches attract more people, regardless of their theology, denomination, or location.” Probably you already knew that. Am concluded, “Most churches that are growing today have learned how to love. A church that loves people is a church that grows. Unfortunately, not all churches are practicing the command to love…”
So, are we a loving church? Let’s test ourselves. Remember, people judge groups by individuals. What have people seen in me? In you? That’s how they’ll judge the church.
- Do I speak to strangers at church with a warm word of greeting, or do I pass them by and look for my friends?
- Do I look for visitors in my Bible class so I can make them feel welcome?
- Do I ever invite a visitor out to lunch or to my home for fellowship?
- Is it important to me that guests feel “at ease”?
- Do I pass visitors in the hall and not speak?
- Do I sit by a stranger or visitor in the worship service so they will not be alone?
Let’s concentrate on being more loving to visitors and to each other. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as / have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35.
Borrowed