Church Is For Everyone

A few weeks ago, we held a children’s event outside church — a teddy bears’ picnic, complete with music, games, laughter, and plenty of excited children running around. We had crafts set up inside the porch of the church, and during the afternoon one man asked me something that genuinely surprised me.

“Is it alright for me and my daughter to come into church for the crafts?”

Of course it was alright. More than alright – they were welcome.

But his question stayed with me afterwards, because I realised that many people still think churches are only for “church people”. Somewhere along the way, perhaps we have accidentally given the impression that you need to belong before you can walk through the door.

The truth is much simpler: church is for everyone!

You don’t need to know the hymns, understand the service, or have your life perfectly together. Far from it. You can come with questions, curiosity, noisy children, doubts, laughter, or even just because there are crafts and cake on offer.

One of my favourite moments from that afternoon captured this perfectly.

Just as our picnic was about to start, some ladies arrived in the churchyard to visit a new grave. Out of respect, we turned the music off for a while so they could have some quiet space to mourn. A little later, one of the ladies came over to thank us. Then she asked if we could play a particular song – one that reminded her of the person she was missing. So we did! And there, in the middle of a teddy bear’s picnic, with children playing nearby and families gathered together, a song was played in memory of someone dearly loved. I suspect not many people have had a song request played at a graveside!

It struck me afterwards that this is exactly what church should be: a place where joy and sorrow can sit side by side. A place where children can laugh loudly one moment, and where someone grieving can find kindness and understanding the next.

Church isn’t for perfect people. It’s a community of ordinary people trying to love God and love one another as best we can with all our flaws. Jesus himself welcomed people from all walks of life. He spent time with children, families, doubters, outsiders, and people who probably felt they didn’t belong. In fact, some of his warmest words were simply:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

And perhaps another verse sums up that afternoon beautifully:

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

Romans 12:15

This is exactly what happened at our little picnic. So if you’ve ever wondered whether church is “for people like you?” the answer is - yes!

Whether you come for a service, a children’s event, a coffee morning, or simply because you are curious, you will be welcome.

And who knows? – you might even get to request a song!

Karen Gorman

Authorised Lay Minister for Children and Young People