Don't Expect People to Know The Culture of Your Church
Talking through the theology, strategy and practice of a church's Welcoming culture
Continuing our mini-series on Soul Revival’s Service Teams, Jai McMordie joins Joel McMaster and I on the couch to discuss the next in our lineup of service teams: Welcoming.
The episode begins with stories of first impressions — from the childhood joys of Asterix and Tintin, to Jai’s memory of the Apple Store opening in Sydney. Whether it’s a retail space or a church gathering, those first encounters matter. A welcoming experience gives dignity to newcomers, communicates that we’re glad they’re here, and removes the unknowns that often make walking into church for the first time so daunting. Crucially, we can’t expect people to already know the culture of our church when they arrive.
Hospitality isn’t just greeting at the door — it’s creating a space where strangers can become family, where people feel they belong, and where discipleship can take root.
From there, we unpack the theology of welcoming, grounding it in Hebrews 13, Romans 12, and 1 Peter 4. Hospitality isn’t …
