An authentic community is welcoming and promotes a sense of belonging. Antioch welcomed Paul. Read Acts 11:25-26. Antioch was a growing Christian community that included both Jewish and Gentile Christians. Including Gentiles was an unintentional and unexpected outcome at first, but as the Christian movement grew, more and more Gentiles were added to the faith. Not knowing what to make of it, the Jewish Christian leaders in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to see if this movement in Antioch was legitimate. Barnabas found “evidence of grace” in Antioch. Saul of Tarsus, a persecutor of Christians who became a Christian, is known today as the Apostle Paul. Christians who knew Paul were cautious at first, wanting to give enough time to see if Paul’s faith was real. Barnabas was quick to accept Paul. After Barnabas was in Antioch, he believed that Paul would be welcomed there. Antioch not only welcomed Paul but included him in their fellowship. Paul belonged. At Wesley Chapel, we work hard on being a welcoming church. Our hospitality team does a great job welcoming people. Servants at our children’s desk are friendly. Our Café team serves coffee and hot chocolate with a smile. Welcoming is important, but we must also be willing to include people after we welcome them. Authentic community helps people feel they belong. When we achieve authentic community and develop close friendships, we must guard against becoming a closed community that makes it difficult for outsiders to be included. Creating a sense of belonging is what made Antioch stand out. 

Holy God, as we follow your Son Jesus Christ, help us to grow closer to our community of faith. Create authenticity among us as we welcome new people and include them in our family. We especially lift those in our church who are new members or are thinking about becoming new members. Help create an environment among us that makes this an easy process. Amen.