(REFLECTIONS ON 3 John 1)

One of my fondest memories is when my family and I went to Hawaii for vacation in 2010. On a Sunday, we decided to find a local church and worship there. We not only felt greatly welcomed by the church, but even met a lovely Taiwanese couple that became good friends after we moved back to Taiwan in 2011.

In today’s Scripture, John writes to Gaius, commending him for showing hospitality to believers, even though they may be strangers to him. However, John also mentions by name, Diotrephes, who refuses to welcome other believers. In fact, John writes that he also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.

9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 10 So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.

The English Ministry at SLPC is an unique ministry because we have guests from all over the world looking for a place to worship while they are visiting Taiwan. Some may even stay in Taiwan for a period of time for work or for study. My own observation is that we are an open ministry that welcomes others.

This isn’t the case with all churches. I have been to many churches where it seems like church members aren’t very open to new people, are comfortable just with the people they have, and don’t like the possibility that anyone enters their church that is different from them.

Although John refers to welcoming other believers in his letter to Gaius, this also applies to welcoming those that perhaps have been stepping into the church for the first time. Let us continue to highlight our unique quality as an English Ministry, one of which is that we are open and inviting to all guests that come, whether they decide to stay or not.

Perhaps we still have some ways to go as well, because although we may be welcoming to those from different countries, cultures, and languages, we can always do a better job at welcoming those that might be suffering either spiritually or mentally, and just need some extra tender loving care.

Let this be our challenge, that we do not only accept the traveler or foreigner, but that we can also accept, welcome, and minister to the misfits, ostracized, and people that live on the fringes.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: 3 John 1