We Bid Thee Welcome in the Name

We bid thee welcome in the name

We Bid Thee Welcome in the Name is a hymn text by Martin Behm (1610) in L.M. (8.8.8.8) meter. Translated by Catherine Winkworth. Found in CW93 547, lw 262, tlh 484.

This hymn expresses the welcoming nature of the church as the body of Christ and emphasizes the Christian community's responsibility to steward the faith entrusted to them. It reflects the Lutheran understanding of the priesthood of all believers and mutual encouragement within the congregation.

History & Background

Martin Behm wrote this German hymn in the early 17th century as a welcome hymn for those received into the church. Catherine Winkworth translated it into English in 1863 for her influential collection of German Lutheran hymns.

Hymnal Appearances

Christian Worship — 547
Lutheran Worship — 262
The Lutheran Hymnal — 484

Translation

Catherine Winkworth

Bulletin Note

Written by Martin Behm in 1610, this hymn expresses the Reformation conviction that all baptized believers share in Christ's priestly work. It became central to Lutheran reception liturgies, grounding hospitality in sacramental theology.

Preaching Connection

This hymn embodies the Lutheran doctrine of the priesthood of all believers: the entire congregation, not clergy alone, bears responsibility for welcoming, nurturing, and stewarding faith in the body of Christ.

Background Research

AI-assisted draft This background note was researched with AI from published hymnal sources and has not yet been checked line by line. Please verify details such as dates before relying on them.

James Montgomery, in his Sacred Poems and Hymns (1854) as no. CCCV, headed 'On the Appointment of a Minister' (Phil 2:29, 'Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation'). Six stanzas of long metre; TLH's index date is 1825 (Christian Psalmist) and TLH uses a cento. Other books title it 'The minister's welcome' or 'Welcoming a pastor'. Theme: the congregation receives its new pastor 'in the name of Christ', the ambassador sent by him (2 Cor 5:20), and prays that his ministry be blessed. For installation services. Montgomery was a Moravian-raised layman, so it is a layman's welcome to the pastor.

Sources: Montgomery, Sacred Poems and Hymns no. 305 (via biblehub).

AI-assisted draft These study notes were drafted with AI from the hymn text and have not yet been reviewed line by line. Treat them as a starting point and check them against the sources.

Overview

James Montgomery's hymn for welcoming a new pastor, used in TLH for installations. The congregation welcomes him in Jesus' name and receives him 'in His stead,' asking him to come as a servant like Christ (st. 1); as a shepherd who guards the flock from hell, world and sin, feeds lambs and sheep, heals the wounded and brings back the lost (st. 2); as a teacher sent to declare God's whole counsel, while the people uphold him with prayer (st. 3); and as a messenger of peace who will see the Church grow and meet them all in heaven (st. 4).

Central theme: Receiving a pastor as Christ's servant, shepherd, teacher and messenger, sent to proclaim God's whole counsel

Structure

Four long-meter quatrains. Servant (1) — shepherd (2) — teacher (3) — messenger of peace (4).

Law & Gospel Shape

Gospel: the pastor is sent with Christ's Word to heal, feed and bring in the lost; the enemies — hell, world, sin — are named (2).

Confessional Connections

'We receive thee in His stead' — ministers act 'in the stead of Christ' (Ap VII.28, 47: they 'do not represent their own persons but… Christ'; Luke 10:16). AC V: God instituted the Office of the Ministry, 'that is, provided the Gospel and the sacraments,' through which the Spirit works faith. AC XIV: no one should publicly teach or administer the sacraments unless rightly called. 'His whole counsel' (Acts 20:27) — pure Law and Gospel. The people's prayers uphold the pastor (Eph 6:18-20; Exod 17:12). Table of Duties: what hearers owe their pastors.

Liturgical Use (Study Notes)

Installation of a pastor; ordination anniversaries; welcome of a new pastor.

Historical Notes

Montgomery (1771-1854) wrote it in 1825 for the welcome of a minister; TLH uses a cento.

About the Tune

HERR JESU CHRIST, MEIN'S LEBENS LICHT (Leipzig, 1625).

Scripture References

1 Cor 4:1-2 Matt 10:40 Luke 10:16 Mark 10:45 John 13:14-16 1 Pet 5:2-4 John 21:15-17 Ezek 34:16 Acts 20:27-28 Exod 17:11-12 Rom 10:15 Eph 6:18-20 Isa 52:7 1 Thess 2:19-20

Stanza by Stanza

1 We bid thee welcome in the name…

We welcome you in the name of Jesus, our exalted Head. Come as a servant, as he came, and we receive you in his place.

1 Cor 4:1 (TLH's text): 'servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.' 'Whoever receives you receives me' (Matt 10:40); 'the one who hears you hears me' (Luke 10:16). Christ came 'not to be served but to serve' (Mark 10:45). 'In His stead' — Ap VII.28.

Scripture: 1 Cor 4:1-2, Matt 10:40, Luke 10:16, Mark 10:45, John 13:14-16
Imagery & language: Welcome; servant; in His stead.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — Christ sends his servant.
Connection to previous: Servant.

Office of the Ministry installation servanthood

2 Come as a shepherd; guard and keep…

Come as a shepherd: guard and keep this flock from hell, the world and sin; nourish the lambs and feed the sheep; heal the wounded and bring in the lost.

'Shepherd the flock of God that is among you' (1 Pet 5:2). 'Feed my lambs… tend my sheep' (John 21:15-17). 'I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured' (Ezek 34:16). The pastor feeds with Word and Sacrament (AC V).

Scripture: 1 Pet 5:2-4, John 21:15-17, Ezek 34:16, Acts 20:28
Imagery & language: Shepherd; lambs and sheep; wounded and lost.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — pastoral care.
Connection to previous: Shepherd.

Office of the Ministry pastoral care Good Shepherd

3 Come as a teacher sent from God,…

Come as a teacher sent from God, commissioned to declare his whole counsel. Lift the prophet's rod over our ranks while we hold up your hands with prayer.

'I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God' (Acts 20:27). Moses' hands held up by Aaron and Hur (Exod 17:11-12) — the congregation's prayer supports the pastor (Eph 6:18-20).

Scripture: Acts 20:27, 2 Tim 4:2, Exod 17:11-12, Eph 6:18-20
Imagery & language: Teacher; whole counsel; upheld hands.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — teaching and mutual prayer.
Connection to previous: Teacher.

preaching pure doctrine prayer for pastors

4 Come as a messenger of peace,…

Come as a messenger of peace, filled with the Spirit and on fire with love. Live to see our growth, and die to meet us all in heaven.

'How beautiful… are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace' (Isa 52:7; Rom 10:15). The pastor's hope and crown are his people (1 Thess 2:19-20).

Scripture: Isa 52:7, Rom 10:15, Acts 6:3, 1 Thess 2:19-20
Imagery & language: Messenger of peace; meeting above.
Law / Gospel: Gospel — peace proclaimed.
Connection to previous: Messenger.

Office of the Ministry peace heaven

Themes

Baptism Welcome into the faith community Trinitarian blessing Church membership

Look Further

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