When this is said in many church messages…

Many church messages, when spoken of...
["The early church is our model! Let's build a church like that!"]

However... the reality is truly harsh.
...How should churches respond to newcomers, to those who have recently been saved...? 🤔

Churches need to include those who have been saved... as members of their fellowship.

In particular, ensuring that no one is left alone and lonely may be the responsibility of those of us who were saved earlier,
and those who have been attending church earlier, as well as the pastor. 😓
...Actively reach out and invite them into fellowship.

According to some statistics... 🧐
It is said that about half of baptized Christians leave the church!

There are also bedside baptisms before being called to heaven, so it's not a simple matter. 😰
...When God sends new people to church every week...
...How we respond will clearly determine whether they can settle into the church or not. Fortunately, our church has many caring people, so there's no need to worry about that.😅
...The early church grew by welcoming newcomers into its community!
...Let's aim to create a church where lonely people come, and where first-time visitors can feel God's "love"!

Shalom😃

This page archives a Morning Word message shared by Pastor Peter Sunagawa on LINE. The English prose is a translation of the Japanese source message. For Scripture wording, use the BSB link above.