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| Hoosier United Methodists together |
September 2006 |
| Body, Mind & Spirit |
A stranger like me
By Todd Outcalt
A few weeks ago I dedicated a few days to visiting other churches - not on Sunday morning, but through the week - to take notes on how other congregations have used color and d‚cor in their buildings to lend a sense of welcome and hospitality to the stranger. It was an important venture, especially as we build a new facility here at Calvary. I went to take notes on walls and stones and carpet, but returned home with a much richer set of observations about church.
For example, when I walked through the doors of some churches, I encountered resistance and sometimes even hostility, when I asked to look around the building. One very large church (not United Methodist) even told me I would have to have an appointment to see their worship space. The secretary also seemed too busy and was very eager to get me out of the way, but these experiences were rare. I never told anyone I was a pastor.
On the other hand, I did have one encounter that left me feeling so encouraged and welcomed, I had to think, "Now, here is a people who truly know the spirit of Jesus."
I had entered the building without stopping by the office, and as I wondered down one long hallway, a man's voice at the far end called out to me, "You look lost!" I didn't know quite how to take this at first (was he commenting on my salvation?). But then I realized as he approached, he was smiling and eager to help. He came over to shake my hand -even as he toted an interesting lunch consisting of an Arby's sandwich, a quart of 10W-30 motor oil, and a bottle of cleaning solvent - and introduced himself to me as Mike. He asked about my business and then said, "I've got keys to every room in the building. Let me show you around."
For the next 30 minutes, Mike served as my tour guide to the building, made commentary, with pride, on the wonderful things his congregation was doing for the Kingdom. Then he welcomed my return by saying, "Now, when you come back next week with your work team, you call me ahead of time. I'll meet you at the front doors and personally give your group the grand tour."
I'll tell you, I left that church (and it wasn't United Methodist, either) with a sense of warmth, encouragement and enlightenment. It was a Tuesday, but I felt I'd just been to worship. Maybe I had.
Returning home that day, I realized that it's the people of a congregation, not just the pastors and staff, who have the biggest impact on inviting, encouraging and welcoming the stranger. I also feel encouraged by the fact that I didn't have a single bad experience when visiting other United Methodist churches. Yes, we were on our toes, and I received a smile and welcome in each one. Most of all, I truly sensed God's presence when I received words of hospitality inviting a stranger like me into these sacred spaces.
Todd Outcalt serves as senior pastor of Calvary United Methodist Church in Brownsburg, Ind.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008