Welcoming congregation criteria show what works in vital churches

Every congregation in the Southwest Texas Conference has heard a sermon on Acts 2. Every church out there has studied the parables of Jesus. Every church in our conference would describe itself as open and friendly.
Nevertheless, we have churches with 80 percent of their pews empty Sunday mornings.
A disturbing number of churches have lost half of their members during the past 10 years. We have churches that, for the first time ever, have problems with stewardship. Yet members drive luxury cars and live in spacious homes.
It would be hard to believe that simply being more “welcoming” could turn things around, but the answer could be just that easy! It doesn’t matter how strong your Bible study might be, how good your choir is or how gifted your preacher might be. If nobody’s there to hear and see, what’s the point?
For some, programs and activities aimed at helping to build our congregations, both spiritually and numerically, are just another way that the conference is meddling in the affairs of congregations.
In many cases, these same people see no point in Lay Speaker certification, Laity Assembly, United Methodist Women, United Methodist Men or even the annual conference session. Even more startling is that these are often the same churches with diminishing congregations and problems making ends meet!
As I travel the conference, I visit thriving churches and struggling churches. One thing I notice at thriving churches is that they, as a matter of routine, display the majority of the traits listed in the welcoming congregations criteria. Does that not prove that these things work?
Now, if my church is already doing those things and has experienced positive benefits, what’s the point of a paper certificate? There is one simple answer: The United Methodist Connection!
For every church that, as a matter of “routine,” is a welcoming congregation, two or three others in our conference don’t know how to begin. The criteria for welcoming congregation certification are simply a listing of what is working at other United Methodist churches—the Connection.
We are blessed to be in relationship with thousands of congregations. What better way can little Wesley UMC in San Angelo educate struggling cultures in Africa, build a church in Russia, start a new life for a child in Waco and provide medical care for hundreds of people around the world?
The Southwest Texas Conference is not merely a “governing agency.” We are the body of Christ. We are family! Families, love, share, empower, encourage, affirm and help one another.
Welcoming Congregations could not just help our struggling congregations grow. The effort could define us as the body of Christ in Southwest Texas.
So, it’s not about the paper certificate, it’s about uniting to offer Christ to all—the Connection!