I’ve been pondering on the word ‘welcome’ recently. So many churches I have conversations with talk about how important it is for them to be a welcoming church – yet, I also have frequent conversations with families who struggle to access church due to sensory needs, neurodiversity or trauma experiences. There seems to be a disconnect somewhere …

I wonder if our understanding of the word ‘Welcome’ needs a little more curiosity!

If we are honest with ourselves, I wonder if what we really mean by the word ‘welcome’ sometimes is everyone is ‘permitted’ … anyone can come if they want to … the door is open. In some ways, that could be seen as progress and a step in the right direction – as we know that that hasn’t always been the approach of the church.

In her article in the Church Times called “We failed 60’s immigrants”, Madeleine Davies explores the experience of many people of colour during the period of mass migration from commonwealth countries. She explains  ‘what they experienced was, at best our Church discouraged them from attending, and at worst refused them admission’.

But that step in the right direction of ‘permissive welcome’ falls so far short of all that active welcome can be. In his book ‘we need to talk about race’, Ben Lindsay explains, ‘there is a huge difference between churches being diverse and churches being inclusive’.

Permissive welcome might lead, in some ways, to a level of diversity. But if we want to create inclusive spaces that enable everyone to flourish … churches that enable every person to feel seen, heard, known – where they can thrive in their relationship with Jesus … then we need to get more active about our welcome.

In the ESV version of Romans 15:7 we are encouraged to

Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God

The welcome that Jesus extends to us is so much more than passive permissiveness – it is a deep, rich, fierce, compassionate and active welcome.

An affirming welcome – ‘Who touched me?’

In Luke 8:40-48, we read the beautiful story of Jesus healing the woman with the issue of blood. This woman fully understood what a life without welcome looked like. In her culture, menstruating women were considered unclean, as was anyone they touched and so they were excluded from many community activities. She is risking a lot by reaching out to touch Jesus but she is desperate and has heard that this great teacher has healed others – if only she can reach Him and touch his cloak… and it works – she is healed. That could have been the end of the story but Jesus understood the power and importance of active welcome! He calls out, asking to know who touched Him.

The interaction that follows is so full of kindness, gentleness and compassion. – it’s the only time we read of where Jesus calls anyone daughter – a word that drips with affirmation. Because of Jesus welcome, this woman leaves not only physically healed – but seen, heard and powerfully affirmed.

A proactive welcome – ‘Zacchaeus, im coming to your house for tea!’

In Luke 19 we read of Jesus actively welcoming another person who has been excluded from community – this time for very different reasons. Zacchaeus is a tax collector – a jewish ‘traitor’ who was collecting money for the oppressive roman regime and, given that he is described as ‘wealthy’, possibly going about it in a dishonest way that meant he also profited! He has heard about this great teacher and is curious to find out more so he skulks in the background, probably assuming that he wouldn’t be a welcomed presence. But Jesus is proactive in His welcome of Zacchaeus – approaching him and inviting himself for tea! A great reminder that we sometimes need to go out of our way to welcome people into our community.

An empowering welcome – ‘What do you want me to do for you?’

I love the story in Mark 10 of Jesus healing Bartimaeus, who was blind. When he hears that Jesus is passing by, he begins to shout out to Him but those around him tell him off for being a nuisance and shout at him to be quiet. Why would Jesus want to be bothered by someone like him? But Jesus actively welcomes him, though His opening question might at first seem strange – ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Isn’t that obvious??? He’s blind! Of course he wants to see! But Jesus doesn’t make broad sweeping assumptions that disempowers Bartimaeus’ voice. He makes space for him to be heard.

It can be so easy for us to make assumptions about support that someone might need in order to be included and to join in. While that often comes from a good place and with good intentions – let’s follow Jesus example and seek to bring an empowering welcome that brings curiosity and asks is there anything we can do that might be helpful?

Ultimately, the welcome that Jesus brings is a costly welcome – a welcome that goes above and beyond that leads, ultimately, to the cross. The welcome that Jesus offers us cost Him His life. It isn’t a permissive, quiet, join in if you like welcome. It’s active, it’s affirming, it’s empowering and it’s costly.

All of a sudden, that verse in Romans 15:7 doesn’t feel quite so fluffy and inoffensive!

‘Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you’

It’s hugely challenging! But when we do it well – we get a greater understanding of the glory of God. We are each made in the image of God and the more ‘images’ we see – the fuller the picture of God we build!

To find out more about practical steps you can take to help people feel safe, seen and heard and welcomed and included – check out the Wonderful Me! website. A great tool to kick start your thinking is the Wonderful Me! STARS of safety tool.