Easter & American Culture

Fact: Easter is a part of the American Culture

     Our Pastor recently pointed out that Easter is one of those days on the US cultural calendar when it is totally acceptable for everyone and anyone to attend church. People who don't go to church all year long will search out a church to attend on Easter.
     Knowing this fact about our culture is important, because it gives us the opportunity to be pro-active, to invite our friends and neighbors to come to church. Something as simple as "Hey... I know lots of people go to church on Easter. Are you looking for a church to attend? We have a great one. Do you want to come with us?" can be totally comfortable to say at Easter.
      So why is it so difficult to invite people to church on the other 51 weeks of the year? Are we afraid it might make us look like a "Jesus freak"? ( Not really a bad thing if we mean just being totally excited about Jesus. Could be a bad thing if we mean being totally obnoxious about it.) Can we handle the rejection if they say no? If they say no, is that any worse than if we didn't ask in the first place?
     You know, the great thing about Easter is that we get right to the nut of Christianity. Its all about Sin, Separation (from God), Payment, and Restoration. That message can be told in many different ways. Some churches tell it through special programs, or dramas, or speakers. For me the key is making sure that people leave remembering the message and not the event. Easter is a great time for inviting visitors to church. If someone wants to know what following Christ is all about... this is it!
     We really enjoyed spending Easter with the Spanish believers at Church of the Open Door this year. Ruth and I, along with several others, lead the music and our Spanish Pastor told the redemption story in a powerful way... and our people invited their friends and family. Our little group of believers swelled to over 50 in attendance with several of them returning the next week.
     But don't wait until Easter next year to invite someone to church... A week later, Ruth was in the dentist's office. As she returned to the waiting area after her appointment, a lady was talking to our son David in Spanish. She was very impressed with David's ability to speak Spanish, and told Ruth so. Ruth was able to share with her a bit about our background in South America and then invited her to church on Sunday. Turns out, this lady had been looking for a new church in the area. She came the very next week... and invited 3 other people to come with her. So don't wait until next Easter. Invite someone to church this week.

Doug & Ruth