. . . we interrupt this program . . .

This morning before the sun even touched the eastern horizon I stopped by the church on my way to the airport. I had forgotten my kindle and I look forward to reading all the books I've wanted to read over the past year on the plane! Haha, okay - I can't get them all done, but I do some catching up.

This past week in church I confessed one of my sins. (I've been in a confessional mood lately, I guess). I do not keep my Sabbath regularly. I probably take a full Sabbath once a month and I notice the effects, especially when I have worked multiple days in a row. So yes, I called Jesus Travis this week in my sermon. And I read most of my sermon. I typically don't need to do this. I always write out a sermon to help me stay on track, but by Sunday morning I only have the FULL theological insights written out so I don't get them wrong.

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Some of the lights in the sanctuary had been left on and as I walked in, I noticed it was the lights above the cross. I was reminded in that moment, that I don't have to do it all. Like most Americans I am driven by success, but in that moment of silence before the cross, I was reminded by that still small voice - God is already working miracles. God is already redeeming the world through Jesus Christ. All I need to do is follow - and part of that is remembering that even when I think I am needed, that the world will keep on spinning and the things that don't get done - they don't get done.

That's tough to accept when you want nothing more than for everything to be done perfectly, or you want results right away.  The problem is that it's not faithful to how God calls each and every one of us regardless of how we carry out that call. God rested, we need to rest. God commands us to keep the Sabbath Holy - we are not just producers, we are creative beings, made in God's image. Even the master Creator rested.

So, I'm on my way to Nashville for a time of learning, worshipping and resting. Learning is one of the things that brings me great joy, so this really is a Sabbath for me.

. . . inviting people to church pt.2 . . .

Last week, I shared some first steps for inviting people to church. They are more about how to prepare yourself than the actual invitation. Today is a little more prep.

One of the things that happens in our church world is we truly believe in Jesus - we believe his life, death, and resurrection were a gift so we can have abundant life both here on earth and in the afterlife. However, we often don’t know how to talk about how God has worked in our lives.

So, step THREE this week is, know your story. It is so important to know how God shapes our lives. If we step back and reflect, we can see here and there very obvious times when we know God was with us. However, we are not very used to looking for God in our everyday lives. We know, at least we say we know, that God is with us all the time. We talk about the Holy Spirit flowing through us, but we don't often know what that looks like... so how do we do that?

Step FOUR: lead or join a Life Group. These groups are designed to help you identify where you see God at work in your life's story. They are designed to help us acknowledge the "nudgings of the Spirit" as we like to say. They are laid back groups where you can talk with ease about your faith without feeling judged. One of the first steps toward talking about your faith with others who may not know Jesus yet, is talking with people who already share your faith.

Here's how Life Groups work:
1. You meet either every week or every other week. The goal is to meet at least twice a month.
2. Eat a meal or a snack together - eating together is the best way to bond with others.
3. Keep things confidential.
4. Ask a series of questions that help you focus on God:

• How is it with your soul? Or where have you seen God in your life?
• How are you connecting to God (fasting, journaling, praying, reading Scripture)?
• What are your successes or struggles in that?
• How can we help you?
• How is God nudging you or what is God pointing out to you?
• Who do you want to fill the empty chair?

I hope this is helpful. 

. . . inviting people to church . . .

We have become accustomed to fear inviting people to church. I get it - nobody likes rejection! Think back to those days when you got up the nerve to ask a boy or girl out on a date, and they said no! It's not fun to be told no. We begin to think we don't measure up, or we're not good enough. It's the same when God finally gives you the courage to invite someone to church and you're told NO! It's awkward and defeating. But guess what? God is with you no matter what. I have to remind myself that each Sunday when I look at the congregation and don't see many of the people I have personally invited to church. I get it!

I've had people express that they love hearing messages about focusing outward and developing relationships with people not yet at church. You want to invite, but you're not sure where to start. Over the next few weeks, I will give you some resources and tools to help you invite people.

Today I have two:

1. Pray - This is the most important step. God will be at the forefront of the invitation. God comes before us, God comes alongside us, God carries us, God comes behind us. Prayer is essential as it gives you the courage to lean into God in what can be an uneasy situation.

2. Change your thought process - for real! So often when we think about inviting we start thinking about the "what ifs." What if it makes people uncomfortable? What if they have been hurt by a church? What if they reject me? Lots of "what ifs!"

But, "what if" you begin thinking about the opportunity instead?

What if God has been at work in someone's heart? What if they are simply waiting to be invited to church? What if they are grieving and in need of healing? What if one question changed a life?

This week know that I am praying with and for you as you find ways to begin sitting down with people and investing in new relationships. Remember first and foremost, people respond when we have a relationship first.

One tiny step you can do today is like our Facebook page. Social Media awareness is important these days!

. . . Meeting new people . . .

Last Thursday I met with Roger Ross, the Director of Congregational Excellence for the Missouri United Methodist Churches to talk about the current state of our re-launch. Pastor Robyn joined us and there is definite excitement from varying levels in our denomination about the work being done in Raytown. It may be slow going, but we are doing work in our community, prayer walks in our neighborhood, the community meal launch team is gearing up by focusing outward.
One sign of a healthy church is when we are thinking and praying about those not with us. Our prayers are what help us gain the confidence we need to start going outside our building and investing in relationships with others. I see you all taking these steps if you're not already fully doing it. These kinds of efforts, going outside to meet new people, is what grows and multiplies the kingdom.

Roger told me about a pastor in Eureka, Missouri who has made it his goal to meet 20 new people each week. As I heard that I was like, WOW! Who has time for that? Guess what, it's totally doable - I never realized until Thursday that meeting 20 new people each week is not only possible, it's probable. Think about it, you go to the grocery store, and you intentionally go to a cashier you've never met. You ask him how his day is, ask him what he's excited about in the next few days, introduce yourself, and get his name - then write it down! I decided to give it a try - and I got 6 names in less than five days. I have prayed for those people by name each night before going to bed.

Here was my prayer last night (I'm writing this on Tuesday):

God of grace,
I lift up to you Rachael - move in her heart to hear your voice. Move her into a relationship or a deeper relationship with you.
I lift up to you Tyler - move in his heart to hear your voice. Move him into a relationship or a deeper relationship with you.
And so on...

This practice in just a few short days has made me intentional about meeting someone new each day and praying for them by name.
This practice is almost effortless, but it requires I pay attention to those around me.

My prayer for you is that you join me in praying for all the new people you meet as you venture outside the church walls.