Wanderers Welcome (2)

What do we mean when we say “Wanderers Welcome”?

Who are the wanderers?

Nomads: Have a slow fade away from church without ever really giving up their faith; disenchanted

Prodigals: Deconvert from their faith; sometimes intellectual disagreements, but other times emotional wounds

Exiles: Passionately active in doing good, but don’t see how their vocation connects to their church

How do we welcome the wanderers?

Romans 14:1–2 ESV

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.

We want to welcome wanderers by not majoring in minors.

Romans 14:3 ESV

Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.

We want to welcome wanderers by not judging where they are.

Romans 15:1–2 ESV

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

We want to welcome wanderers by putting their needs above our own.

Romans 15:3 ESV

For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”

Romans 15:7 ESV

Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

We want to welcome wanderers by seeing them as Christ does.