What new converts need

I am going to talk at length about this on Sunday, but there are certain things that happened in Paul's life at and after his conversion that should be modelled by the church.
First, he needed acceptance. He needed to be accepted so that he could begin his spiritual journey. Without the innitial acceptance of the disciples he struggled, but then Barnabas stepped in and spoke on his behalf. All of a sudden Paul was accepted and his growth process was in full swing.
Second, he needed patience. Paul needed those around him to be patient with him. The same goes for the unsaved and the unchurched. We can't expect them to dive right in and get it, we can't expect everything to change the moment they believe. We must be patient with them. That leads us to the third thing and that is guidance.
Guidance is very important. Paul already knew the Old Testament very well having grown up the way he did. Paul did not need any fancy speaking or training to share what had happened to him. His Damascus road conversion was all he needed. He knew that he was hand selected by God for his new role as an apostle because Jesus Himself had appeared to him on the road to Damascus. So what other training did he need, very little. But he did need guidance. He needed otehrs who were farther along in their walk with Christ, and who had already experienced what was going on in his life right then to guide and direct him.
So as a church it is our job to reach out and accept everyone in who is lost. To be patient with them offering correction when needed. It's important that we are guiding them and helping them to develop into the young believers that God is calling them to be. These are all things that are done by and in the church for God's purpose of changing the world and growing His Kingdom.
Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!