Welcoming the stranger

from ethnéCITY, a collaborative conversation hosted by IMB. 

America is a nation of immigrants. Check out these two quotes below from two of our founding fathers. Sounds like something out of the headlines today, doesn’t it?

“The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respectable Stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all Nations And Religions; whom we shall welcome to a participation of all our rights and previleges, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment.”   George Washington, 1783 referring to the Irish Immigrants

“Why should Pennsylvania, founded by the English, become a colony of aliens, who will soon be so numerous as to Germanize us instead of our anglifying them, and will never adopt our language or customs, any more than they can acquire our complexion.”  Benjamin Franklin , 1751 referring to the German Immigrants

What about you and your church?

Are you a welcomer? Do you have a spirit of welcoming the stranger? What about your church?

The nations continue to come to America. Along with immigrants, refugees are also coming. How will you greet them? How will they be received by your church?

This article was originally posted at ethnecity.com.