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Helping people feel like they belong doesn't come easily. It takes thought and effort to overcome some very real barriers: misunderstanding among denominations; differences in personality, experience and age; cliques that are not open to new people; a lack of confidence in starting conversations; and even a lack of openness, sharing and acceptance among Christians. And sometimes, when worshiping Christians are radiating the light of Christ, darkness is exposed, and this can cause tension and even division.

Why Welcome Others?
We need to be welcoming mainly because it is Scriptural. "Do not forget to entertain strangers,for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2, NIV). Remember that we are all one body and need to be treated as such (1 Corinthians 12:12,21-27). It makes the campus feel smaller when a person feels they are a welcome member of a supportive group on campus.

Another reason for welcoming people to your campus fellowship is that it strengthens your chapter to do its work of witness to Christ's power. As your chapter grows in number, diversity and giftedness, you'll be able to reach into the campus community in new and powerful ways.

Ways to Welcome
There are many things that can be done to help each person feel welcome in the group, from the most dedicated chapter leader to the new (and perhaps petrified) freshman.

Here are some things that can be done during the first few weeks to attract new people, especially freshmen, and to help them feel welcome and important:

• Encourage new students (especially freshmen) to invite friends to new student week activities and the first meeting.
• Be sure posters are eye-catching and not buried among a lot of other papers, making them unnoticeable.
• Take every opportunity to set up information tables.
• Have people wear InterVarsity T-shirts at registration and throughout the first week. This raises the chapter profile, and returning members will look as though they can answer questions and give directions.
• Plan social events such as pizza parties (in dorms) and potluck suppers (in apartments) to foster friendships.
• Plan time for introductions and mingling at the first large- group meeting. Be sure the meeting is newcomer-friendly. (For some good ideas for large-group events, see "Off and Running: Your First Large-Group Meeting [SLJ, Fall 1994] and "Effective Large Groups" [SLJ, Spring 1991]).
• Host a new student get-together shortly after the large- group meeting. Have food on hand (naturally!), and use part of the time to put the newcomers to work on something that makes them feel useful. One idea is to have them prepare a skit for the next large group meeting. (A side benefit is that they would have to return the next week to perform it!)
• Your chapter can help dispel the fear and confusion many new students suffer. Within the first couple of weeks, offer a panel of older students and even faculty members who can answer questions from freshmen about university life.
• Plan events and tours to familiarize new students with the attractions around the university. Draw up an information sheet on where to shop economically, how to use the transit system and where to find theatres, restaurants, museums and churches.
• Buddy up! Pair older students with newcomers to show them around and answer questions.
• Consider finding or reserving a "hospitality lounge" for the first week. This is a comfortable room away from the confusion of the campus where chapter members can welcome new students. Such a room could be promoted at information tables set up during new student outreach and the first week of classes.

Follow up on new people as soon as information becomes available. Small-group leaders can follow up on people expressing an interest in small groups. Other chapter members can be assigned to follow up on newcomers to the large group. Use the address and phone information to let people who have missed meetings know about upcoming events. Or just call to say hello, and then offer to go with them to the next meeting.

For more ideas, see "Welcoming People All Year Long."

Love and Sincerity
These suggestions are not exhaustive, but we hope they will be a place to start in forming encouraging, welcoming and sincere fellowships. Sincerity and a loving attitude are the keys to making these suggestions meaningful and your group truly welcoming.

If the love of God is not present in a fellowship, these activities are useless, as is any action done aside from the Spirit of God. Just as a car will not go without an engine, nothing can begin or will last without the Spirit of God. It is our hope and prayer that the Spirit of love and truth will be found in your fellowship.