Invite

Our mission statement here at Messiah is a couple of sentences long, and I can't remember it all the time. But it boils down to four words--which I always remember: Invite, Care, Grow, Share. Today I'd like to focus in on invite.

Everyone longs to be included--it's a basic human need. As a church, we invite people to join us in learning about God, worship, and fellowship. That's the broad stroke. There are many, many ways to include people in Messiah. I can them entry points, assuming they would be used primarily by those who are new to Messiah. But sometimes members who have been around a while become disconnected and need our love and assistance in getting back into life together.

What are some entry points--to which you can invite newcomers and old friends alike?

Dinners and picnics: either church meals, or at your home. Going to brunch after worship--invite some people to come along!

Adult Forum: this group is smaller so it's better for getting to know each other

Service projects: highway pick up can be fun, or take someone along with you as you serve at Ash Street, etc.

Special programs: like Ryan's concert, Captive free, Lutheran Disaster Relief, World Hunger, Christmas Pageant, VBS, etc.

If you look and think hard enough, many more ways to invite will present themselves. It's up to you though, to make the effort to include someone. But that's part of the mission, isn't it?