Our motto as a church is ‘Believe, Belong, Beloved.’ As Reformed Christians we all understand what we mean by believe, after all we have pages and pages (whole books) written about what we believe. In fact, the tradition in our churches is people could only be a part of our church if they believe what we believe – you have to believe before you can belong. But if we are going to reach our contemporary culture with the good news about Jesus that may be one of the most important mind shifts we need to make.  

In a post-Christian culture where the truth is relevant, and where the church has been tarnished by child abuse, people are predisposed to mistrust us and our message. It’s not enough to tell people that God loves them, we have to show them. It’s not enough to share the gospel, we have to be the gospel. In our culture it’s essential that we share the gospel in both word and deed. Like James writes, ‘If [someone] is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? (Jam 2:15-16)’

And that also plays out in how we do church. Many people need to experience God’s love in action, they need to experience loving community, they need to belong, before they are willing to accept our claims. Before they are able to believe what we say they need to experience it in action. But what does that look like for our churches?

Firstly, it means welcoming non-Christians into our Sunday morning services. We tell them they are welcome, we make them feel welcome, we explain where the toilets are, how creche works, and that they don’t have to give to the collection, because that’s something members do because they love Jesus. It means not presuming they know what we’re talking about and explaining it in everyday language. It means inviting them to stay for coffee and a chat. Do people who aren’t yet members of your church feel like they belong in your church on Sunday mornings?

Secondly, it means welcoming non-Christians into your small groups. Are your small groups designed for committed Christians only, or are they open to non-Christians coming? Are they actually hoping non-Christians will come and inviting them? Creating a sense of belonging will mean that your small groups are more than just Bible studies, they become growth groups, where people from all different stages on their spiritual journey encourage one another, care for each other, and pray for each other.

Thirdly, it means welcoming non-Christians into ministry. Obviously, people who don’t yet believe what we believe can’t be in positions of leadership, or involved in teaching, but there are plenty of things they can be involved in. When we encourage people to get involved in ministry we let them know which jobs are open to anyone and which are for members only. Whether it’s helping out in the kitchen or creche, welcoming people at the door, or working on the sound desk, how do you help not-yet-members feel like they’re a part of your church family?

Next, it means welcoming non-Christians to church events. It might mean creating events just so you can make not-yet-members feel they belong. A few years ago we started a Fellowship team to organize events that help our church connect better, and not just our members, but specifically visitors and non-Christian friends and family. We regularly do lunch after church, as well as men’s and women’s events, with one of the main purposes to make people feel they are a part of our church family.

Finally, it means welcoming non-Christians into our homes. We tend to think of church as what we do on Sunday morning, but church is really about how we live in community, and what we do as God’s people 24/7. As Australians our home is our castle, the problem is many of us have the drawbridge up, the battlements manned, and crocs circling the moat. Nothing makes people feel they belong more than being invited into your home, sharing a meal, discussing life, and being prayed for.  

We had a new lady attend our Sunday morning service two weeks ago and one of the ladies invited her to our ladies morning tea that Saturday, and the following week she came along to our small group. She said, ‘Normally I wouldn’t do that sort of thing, but I just felt so welcomed, this feels like a place where I could belong.’ Our hope is that as she experiences God’s love in action she will respond to God’s love in Christ Jesus.

How are you creating a church where not-yet-members feel they belong?