It seemed to the Holy Spirit and to us...

Last night after church, we had a great discussion at Council about how to treat visitors who come to worship. Do we welcome and love them, but set the bar at a certain height if they are interested in membership (i.e. we don't just let anyone join)? I'm not sure that we would get any new male members, if we required those un-circumcised to be circumcised. Right now, our bar is pretty low. I meet with those who are interested in Faith, hear their story, and have them take the spiritual gifts inventory. They select a Sunday and we do an affirmation of baptism (or a baptism) in worship. We expect members to be more serious about owning the church (sharing time, talents, and treasures) than visitors. Given what Christ expects of us as disciples, I think this is fair. If you joined today, but didn't get plugged into a ministry within 6 months, you're gone. That's the truth statistically.

Understand that someone would be welcome to visit every Sunday for 16 years, but if they'd like to join, it's a step up in commitment. As we are drawn closer to Christ and his body in this place, more of our life becomes about God and his unfolding kingdom. Then we will begin to say things like, "It seemed to the Holy Spirit and to us..."