Entering a church can be daunting, whether for the first time or after a period of absence, whether you are a believer or not. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if your church were a place where everyone receives a warm welcome? A place where newcomers quickly feel at home and where non-believers receive the welcome of God’s people in addition to the welcome of Jesus?

This warm and practical book by Jen Oshman explores what the Bible says to help readers discover how to make room for others, however different from themselves, in their church and in their lives. It also gives practical advice, drawing on good practice from churches around the world in a wide variety of situations. In a world of division, individualism and isolation, readers will see that their church can witness to Christ by being a place of welcome, community and connection.

Chapters include how Jesus welcomes us, the impact of hospitality in the early church, the effect of being brothers and sisters in Christ, how to welcome beyond Sunday , helpful systems and strategies, how our joy in Christ moves us outward, and how to reflect the glorious vision set forth in Revelation.

Whether you are a pastor seeking to encourage your congregation to welcome others or a church member wishing to see unbelievers come to faith and help everyone feel like part of the family, this book is for you.

There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter with action steps, making this an ideal book to read in a small group or even with a whole church. Bundles and free downloadable worksheets are available.

This is one of the first books in the new Love Your Church series, written by a group of Acts 29 Bible teachers. It is designed to inspire every church member to love their church in a practical way by presenting a biblical view of what it means to be a local community of the family of God. The series will explore what it means to belong, to welcome, to come together, to care for, to serve and honor one another, to witness and to send people to spread the gospel.