Pastor’s Pen—February 2016

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Not long ago The Pew Forum released their latest study, “Nones on the Rise” which states that the number of folks who do not identify with any religion continues to increase rapidly in America. Of those who say they don’t have any particular religion, almost 90% say they are not looking for one! Fewer and fewer folks in America embrace a church. I do not think, however, that means they have rejected God, but they surely do not place a priority on the practice of faith. I believe that being an active part of a church is critical to a vital spirituality. Most of us need to be connected to a local church. How will we reach those not really connected to God or a church?

Personally, I feel we won’t reach the unreached by slick marketing or with a “cool church”. I’ve seen newspapers advertising a church for the “unchurched.” While I appreciate the desire to create a church the unchurched will like, I am convinced that marketing won’t get it done.

I get flyers at my home from churches that tell me that they have a cool church atmosphere, but there are lots of cool things to attend and rarely will the church compete well. Most unchurched folks are not looking for a church – even a cool one!

Jesus gave us the example. He used the power of the invitation. Jesus comes across some ordinary fisherman, and with a simple phrase gives them his invitation to adventure; “Come, follow me” (Matthew 4:19). John, in his Gospel, also shows us how John the Baptist introduced Andrew and John to Jesus, who invited them to follow him. Then Andrew invites Peter to meet Jesus (John 1:35-42). Jesus used the relationships he had and invited these unschooled people to join him to change the world…and they did!

While our culture has changed dramatically, the power of relationship and invitation has not changed. We are commanded to make disciples. We do that best through the relationships we already have. We love others and invite them to consider the love of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

A majority of the folks who visit our church and begin the faith journey do so because someone invited them. In fact, 92% of people invited by a friend or family member actually come! One of the most powerful life changing things we can invest in is the people that God has put in our lives at home, school, work, the gym, or some other event or activity. We genuinely care about these folks. Might we consider inviting them to visit our church? There is power in the invitation.

Each week we do our best to prepare our worship services so they are welcoming to those you have invited. We try not to use language that guests won’t understand. Yet, we want to present Christ well and introduce people to God and to the Bible we trust as a guide for our faith and life. You have the power to invite people to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. That is powerful, that is scary, and that is being a disciple. TBTG! (Thanks Be to God)

Blessings and Peace,

Pastor Steve