About a month ago the people who make up Restore Church began giving out invites for our Easter celebration. It was a great few weeks as we shared stories of engaging people about their faith and asking them to visit with us on Easter. The invites were the primary tool we used to connect with people but we also had an advertisement in the paper and promotion on social media.
Well Easter morning was exciting, we had a steady stream of people coming through the door as we scrambled for more chairs. We had a wonderful breakfast with tons of food, a good worship service reflecting on the death and resurrection of Jesus, and an egg hunt that satisfied the sweet tooth of all the kids.
During the morning as I met people and heard their stories of how they ended up with us for Easter I started noticing a trend, everyone was connected to someone who was part of Restore church. It could have been work, family, or friendship but no one came as a result of the invites, social media, and advertisements. There is an important lesson to be learned here, relationships are where the church must focus our energy! Sure, a glossy invite, a cool logo, amazing music, a nice building (I could go on but you get the point) are prioritized in the church today, but please remember that a meal with a coworker, neighbor, friend, or family member can be the most effective way to reach them with Jesus.
So, be intentional about relationships that God allows you to have this week, buy a coffee, eat a snack, play a game, whip up your favorite meal, just make sure to have someone enjoy it with you! Relationships are hard to measure and maybe even messy, but be encouraged; you serve a risen savior!
“When he [Jesus] was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.” Luke 24:30-31
* I know how to spell relational, thanks!
