5 People in the Church You Shouldn't Overlook

While this isn't one person in general, you shouldn't overlook the new family. This comes from personal experience when my family and I were trying out a new church. My mom had wanted us to all start going to church as a family, yet it was hard to find one that worked. We finally went to a church, and we went a few times before the church told us we could not come anymore. 

My dad had made friends with the pastor and the pastor was passionate about spreading the message of the gospel; however, the pastor's wife and children thought our family was an eyesore. We didn't look like the other people there nor were we of the same social caliber as them. My family always struggled to make ends meet, and my sisters and I were never seen as "cool." Even though there was no biblical ground for them asking us to leave, they asked us to leave for this reason. We didn't meet their standards, and they didn't want us to be there. 

Why do I say this? I say this in order for your church not to overlook the new family that has entered your congregation. Maybe they don't look like you, dress like you, or act like you, but maybe they need someone to help them know about Jesus. If you judge someone or overlook them because of the way they look, you are being a snob and you are walking in sin. Instead of condemning them, you need to welcome them. 

Invite them to have lunch with you after church and get to know them better. If that sounds like too much of a stretch, sit with them at church and talk with them after service. These little acts of kindness can go a long way. Don't make them leave your church just because of social biases or due to appearances. All people deserve to hear the gospel, and no person should block anyone's chance to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.

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A second person in the church that you shouldn't overlook is the emo kid. My sisters and I were all emo kids at some point during our pre-teen years. It was the age of punk rock music, band tees, and Converse sneakers. Despite my sisters and I having grown up, there are still many people who are these same emo kids or adults. Rather than judging them for their appearance, be the hands and feet of Jesus to them. 

Share the gospel with them, and treat them as you would treat anyone else. Don't be prejudiced towards them because of their style. Everyone is entitled to their own sense of style and way to express themselves. Most likely, emo kids are going through a lot, and they need to hear the Good News of Jesus. They could be going through depression, the pressures of growing up, or family problems. Treat them with kindness and don't overlook them. 

Maybe you were once an emo kid too. If you were, you probably could connect to them on a deeper level. Compliment them on their style and build a friendship with them. Just because someone dresses in all black doesn't mean they don't have a big heart. In fact, emo is short for emotional. This means that emo kids often have a bigger heart and more emotions than most people, which is not a bad thing at all. 

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The third person in the church who doesn't need to be overlooked is the person who only comes for Easter and Christmas. The people who only come to church on Easter and Christmas normally get a bad reputation. This shouldn't be the case because they need Jesus just as much as everyone else does. They might come only out of tradition, but it is all the more reason to build a connection with them. 

If you notice a person who has been coming every Easter and Christmas for a few years but doesn't come for any other service, reach out to them and talk with them. Don't let them just leave in a hurry. Help them feel welcomed and important to the church. Invite them to stay for lunch or invite them back for next week. Be genuinely caring of them and extend the Lord's love to them. 

People can easily see through a faker; therefore, make sure you are not acting in a fake way when you are communicating with them. By treating them with genuine care and concern, they are going to feel more known and cared about. It might take some extra time out of your day on Easter or Christmas, but it is worth it. You should never see anyone as a lost cause because all people need to have the chance to accept Jesus. 

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A fourth person that the church shouldn't overlook is the kid who can't find anything in the Bible. I mention this person because I was this person. When my sisters and I first went to Vacation Bible School, I was seven or eight years old. I didn't know anything about the Bible and certainly didn't know how to find anything in the Bible. 

I remember the Bible leader telling us to turn to a certain passage in the Bible, and I couldn't even find the book of the Bible, much less the exact verse! It is these kids and adults that we need to not overlook at the church. More likely than not, these kids or adults don't know much about the Bible and feel embarrassed about not knowing how to find anything. 

I know I was highly embarrassed by my inability to find anything in the Bible, and due to my embarrassment, I didn't ask anyone for help. I felt dumb for not knowing how to find things in the Bible. It made things worse that nobody slowed down enough for me to find the right Bible verse, nor did anyone help guide me in the right direction. 

If you are heading up Vacation Bible School or Holiday Bible Club, make sure you help everyone find the correct passage. It might take some extra time, yet your students will appreciate you taking the time to help them. I know I would have been very thankful if someone would've slowed down for me and helped me understand where the passage was and what the passage meant. Never overlook these people. 

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A fifth person the church shouldn't overlook is the person who is alone. How many times have you gone to church and seen one person there all alone? There was nobody with them, and they never interacted with anyone else at the church. These individuals need to be seen, heard, and cared about. They are obviously coming because they want to learn more about the Bible as well as they are looking for a sense of community.

As the church, it is our responsibility to help these individuals feel welcomed. It can be hard at times to talk with new people, but God wants us to welcome them and become friends with them. Sit with them at church, and try to be a friend to them. Maybe they are older and seem happier alone. Still, talk with them and help them know that they matter at the church. This small act of kindness can go a long way and leave a lasting impact on them. 

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