I never gave much thought to how important it is to be entrusted to good hands until recently. I golfed for the first time in 20 years the other day. It was for our Reclaimed fundraiser, and I was invited to be in a group of four. I don’t own any golf apparel—no golf shoes. Don’t own any clubs. No golf balls, no tees. I was nervous I’d slow the group down with bad shot after bad shot. We were playing “best ball,” so I couldn’t make our score any worse. But I was sure none of my shots would be used (unless we wanted practice hitting out of the sand!).

And I couldn’t help but think of church.

A couple of the guys said I could use their clubs. They helped me figure out which ones to use, based on distance or what kind of terrain we were hitting from. Kindly, they let me use their tees and golf balls, assuring me it would be okay if I lost a few. They cheered on good shots. Not only that, but they brought music and snacks. When I got my ball out of the sand, I was gently told to try to take the shortest path in the sand the next time because that’s good golf etiquette. I was completely out of my element, but I was in good hands—that made all the difference.

And it kept making me think of church.

In church, we have people show up who haven’t been in 20 years. Some come because of an invitation; some just want to get back in the swing of things. If there’s such a thing as church apparel, they’re pretty sure they don’t own any. If they do own a Bible, they probably don’t know the difference between Job and John. They come nervous, not knowing where they’ll sit or who they’ll sit next to. Wondering if the sermon will make any sense and if they’ll get something wrong in a song or a prayer and feel out of place. They’re out of their element, but they’re trying.

If they come to our church, will they be in good hands?

Hopefully someone warmly welcomes them and says they can use one of our Bibles, or we might show them how to download a Bible onto their phone. We might even show them how to use it and the difference between the Old and the New Testament. Someone would show them around so they know where their kids go or where the bathroom is. Another person can show them where to get coffee or a snack. Even if they felt completely out of their element, hopefully they also felt they were in good hands.

I think I’ll go golfing again and not let 20 years pass by this time. Being graciously shown the ropes made for such a good experience—I hope the same will be said of all who come to the church.

To the new churchgoers: we see you, and we welcome you in. We have been praying for you, not only that you would love your church experience, but that you would come to know the God who loves you and has created you. That might sound intimidating or strange, so I hope we can cheer you on and show you the ropes.

To the church veterans: try something new so you can be reminded of what it feels like to be out of your element. As you do, I hope you’re reminded of the person who is coming back to church for the first time in a long time or is still new and figuring things out. And I hope you’re praying for them and keeping your eye out for them so you can graciously welcome them in and show them the way. It makes all the difference.