You Are NOT Invited to Church

Have you ever tried to share your faith with someone and all they can gather is that you want them to go to church? I would certainly like them to go to church but hear about the difference Christ makes in their life first. It gets frustrating to try to get people to church anyway. And...I have just as hard a time with convincing Christians and non-Christians by the way. Maybe I am TOO committed but I really think Christians should do what the Bible says and "not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing...and all the more as you see the Day approaching." I could go on and on about spiritual disciplines and how Christians need to get with it and start doing what is right...and I am talking about more than just going to church! I wrestle with the fact that for many, Christianity is that thing they do on Sundays then it's back to whatever. For both the Christian and non-Christian, I'd rather call you to something else.

For the person who is not of faith, the idea of church can be boring. You go there, someone my be friendly to you and make you welcome, there is some singing (and that experience can be dreadful), then some guy talks about the Bible (and this experience can be irrelevant), and there may be some coffee, donuts, etc... Nothing to exciting in their mind. "Why would I do this on a Sunday when I can sleep in and enjoy time with my family?" is probably what they are thinking. If I did not believe the Bible to be true and faith essential, that is what I would be doing! That person and I are not that far apart except for one HUGE thing, what I KNOW to be true and that is why church becomes important. I do not want to invite this person to church but I do want to invite them to have a relationship with Christ. I do want them to see their need for salvation and come to faith. THEN...church becomes a no brainer. This is not to say that they cannot come to faith in our church service as they may have been invited to church. Once they are in the doors, I pray the Holy Spirit will convict them of sin and repentance, and that I have done my part in faithfully preaching the Word.

For the person of faith, the Christian, the Christ-follower, I call you to be crucified with Christ! "For I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless, I live; yet not I but Christ Who lives within me." Think about how dynamic that life would be! The conversation of whether or not you came to church would be flat stupid because you would KNOW and understand that Christ gave His life for you and He can live in and through you! You would know the importance of the church because it becomes your place of hope and growth for your future. It is the Bride of Christ and you would want to be a part of it. It would be more than a meeting, it would be a celebration of who Christ is and what He has done in your life. It would become the Family of God for you and you would want to be around your brothers and sisters in Christ. I am not calling you to church attendance but to a life in Christ! A life that realizes there is nothing more important than Him and nothing more exciting than seeing people come to a saving knowledge of Christ, repenting and asking Jesus to be their Savior. Then we all grow in our faith and works so that we are bringing more to faith who will continue to do the same.

So...you are NOT invited to Church. I am inviting you to something far greater and you will NOT miss the Church, His Bride in the process. You hearing me on this one?

One Year!

Wow how time flies! We have been in Burlington for a year as of yesterday. It has been and incredible journey filled with many ups and downs. We have seen God do some great things and want to see more! Actually...have to see more! I am not satisfied with where we are but satisfied with where we are headed. I have a vision for the future that keeps me moving and on my knees. I have hit "crisis moments" when all I wanted to do was quit but I haven't. I am still trying to determine if that is because of God or my own determination...maybe a bit of both! :-)

I am happy about the fact that we have a church running around 30 but had bigger expectations. I am managing through this in my heart and reevaluating my purpose and call. I think this is normal to do...especially at the year mark, right? I have been overwhelmed by the amount of work just to get to this place in Canada and frustrated with the strongholds Satan has in our community. I have waded through moments of discouragement and had nothing but tears. I have been asking God about what is going on and what more I need to do.

I have our church involved in an outreach event once a month and spontaneous ones like the open mic night just this past Friday. I am on a council board with Burlington to help honor outstanding citizens and achievements. I talk to people all the time about our church and the Lord. I volunteer (family too) in a bunch of stuff here. I advertise as much as possible and have put our family in more debt to advertise, so...What more? This verse keeps coming to me "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy!" Psalm 126:5 I am assuming since it is a Bible verse and all, that it is from the Lord. ;-)

What I want to know is...When are we done the sowing in tears part and move on to the reaping in joy part?!! My wife will remind me from time to time that we are in a sowing season and results may not be as big right now. Those that know Tracey and I KNOW that this is a huge twist in our characteristics. It is usually me calming her down and NOT the other way around...

As we find our way through year 2, keep us in prayer. Our church will celebrate it's first year on August 21! Come up to visit us...that is very encouraging for us too! And keep asking God to give us direction. We are here, in place and ready to follow!