I opened my email this morning and had a surprise letter. Because it had been years since I had heard from this person, I thought perhaps it was spam. It was not.

The content of that letter has led me to this.

Maybe it is because of a different culture I grew up in or I see things differently (That could be a real possibility!) but I struggle when I see the “new” person in the room and cannot get to them. Not because of a “notch” on a spiritual belt I am making but because I want people to taste the Jesus I know. The reality of church fellowship is that more than 80% of “new” people show up in a church assembly because you invite them. And they say that the average person needs 6 contacts within 2 months to stay or feel welcome. (Interesting that a relationship will allow a person to overcome a style or a culture and stay.)This past Sunday I was looking for the “new” people as I want them to feel welcome. It is not about them “staying” but it is about reaching people.

Go into all the world. Mark 16:15 probably is more about touching people as you go than it is about getting someplace. In a culture of no vehicles, much of the time they walked. Yes, some sailed, others may have taken a wagon, but their journey was touching people. Jesus also told them to go into a city, finding the man of peace. Luke 10. Why would God necessarily send someone to another place if they cannot do it in their home, their workplace or their community? “It’s easier. Money goes farther. I am called.” Honestly, I have been around to know them all. But in many cases God is simply working through you and your connections. Your sphere of influence. Too many are moving ahead before their time. Before maturity is set in.

We have put a lot of emphasis on getting people “some where” without getting them somewhere. The church is called to equip and to send people who are equipped into “all the world.” The world for many right now is their home or their workplace.

I am thankful for the equipping (Ephesians 4:11-12) nature of our home fellowship here in New Hampshire.

And I am more convinced that in this next move or shift of God, we are going to see new people. I want to table a thought. If you come to my home, whether you are my family, a friend, my landlord or a technician, I want you to feel welcome. You are my priority. Real hospitality from a biblical perspective is making sure your needs are met before I get comfortable and see to mine. I feel that way about new people coming into a house of worship. As much as I love my friends and family, you always have access to me. New people often don’t. Sunday morning I am looking to touch someone who has not been to “my house.”

Imagine you heard about the country of Weird and you feel a tugging to it. You do not know why, but you do. You just were caught up with God only a day before. You are a nice, well dressed person in a nice home with a spouse, 2.2 kids, 2 cars in the yard and dog or a cat. God tells you He has something for you in the land of Weird. One day you go. (Acts 16:9) You show up. They all have their hands in the hair. The music isn’t your style. The people are too young or too old. They don’t wear the same clothing you do. (“What is Duck Dynasty?”) And no one talks to you. How do you, being lead there, adapt or change the culture? Church is a lot like that for a new person.

Years ago (1979) AT&T had a program for touching someone by calling them. It was encouraging people to use their long distance services. But now, reaching out and touching someone could shorten the distance!

Recently a new person came into our fellowship. I saw them and went over to them and spent a few moments. I knew I did not have the “time” to add more and honestly I was frustrated at the “number of new” and my inability to “touch them.” I felt like I had given them short shrift.

Today I received an email with “Thank you!” in the subject line. It was from the sister of the visitor. The woman was newly saved and God was encountering her. “I wanted to say thank you for introducing yourself to my sister on Sunday.” She apparently cried through worship. It was signed “Thanks again, she means the world to me!”

I want to say this in the nicest way I can. That new person is someone’s family. Someone who may need Jesus to touch them and He wants to use you to be the vehicle. It is not a leadership thing but an every person thing! I am not special. I am not perceived as being merciful or a man of hospitality. But the Jesus I carry, that I walk with loves “your family.” I know Sundays are often “catching up” time but honestly it may be more of “touching someone” time. How would you feel if you showed up at my home and I never said a word to you? Please take the time to “smile and say ‘hi’”.

Let us change the world…one person at a time.