When we arrived, the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem welcomed us warmly. [Acts 21:17 (NLT)]

While walking yesterday morning, I noticed a decal on my neighbor’s car window. It said, “Welcome to Florida – Now Go Home!” Below this sentiment was a skull and crossed rifles! Being a “snowbird” here in Naples, I can understand the locals’ annoyance during “high season” when the population swells, traffic stalls, restaurants overflow, and parking is near impossible. “But, come on,” I thought, “Even on a bad day, this place is paradise compared to most other places. You’re blessed to be here; share it.”

I then realized we sometimes have the same attitude when it comes to our churches. I imagine most of us had to leave for church at least thirty minutes earlier Easter Sunday just to hope for a seat in the back rows. Maybe we even got stuck on the folding chairs in the narthex or, worse yet, were left without a seat. Even though extra services and chairs are added on Christmas and Easter, there never seems to be enough room for everyone. Those of us who attend church regularly tend to get a bit annoyed at these “Birth and Resurrectionists.” Don’t worry; they won’t be at church today. Unfortunately, there will be plenty of room at every service this morning.

Some of the people my neighbor would like to send back up north are the very ones who regularly volunteer at the hospitals, homeless shelters, nature preserves and resale shops. They are the people whose money helps build the hospitals, theaters, schools, Habitat homes and museums of Naples. Could some of the people we resented at church last week be the very ones we need in our church family to help spread God’s word and do God’s work?

We need to find a way to make our church population swell every week, not just twice a year. It’s not only the official greeters who should offer a welcome; we should, too. Do we need to make more effort to reach out? That’s not just the job of the Evangelism Committee! Is there someone we should invite to join us at worship? Let’s remember that church is God’s house, not ours. Everyone is welcome: all shapes and sizes, races and nationalities, saints and sinners alike. Church visitors aren’t strangers; they’re the guests of God! Let’s welcome everyone to God’s house! The welcome mat is out!

Welcome him with Christian love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. [Philippians 2:29 (NLT)]