Here They Come Again

It is that time of year again. Get ready to have a full church. Be prepared to set up chairs in the aisle. It is an exciting time of year, having a great celebration and filling the sanctuary with people. But some members will look down upon those who are CE (Christmas/Easter) attendees. The CE people are not faithful. They don't attend; they don't give; they aren't involved; they don't help with the work that needs to be done to keep the church going.

Now, look at Easter celebrations and CE people through a new lens. The church is the one place that exists, not for itself, but for others. While we often "blame" those who are inactive for their lack of commitment, it could be that the system in our church for welcoming, belonging, and discipling is designed for those results. What if we had a passion that the people who have not been part of the church meet God through Jesus Christ and experience the meaning of Easter? The celebration of Easter is the word of new life and hope. It is the Word that each of us, through the living Christ, can experience salvation, healing, and wholeness. That is a word for all, both inside and outside the church.

How can we make the Easter celebration inviting and welcoming to people who have been inactive or who have rarely been to church? Is everything written out in your bulletin for that day? Do you have the hymns, the Lord's Prayer, Doxology, and other parts of your service written out so it is easy to follow for people who are not familiar with your service? Visitors do not want is to make a "spectacle" of themselves and be noticed for doing the wrong things. What are the ways that you can help them diminish that fear? Are there sufficient people from the congregation to welcome them and to help them find nursery care and a seat in the sanctuary? Have these hospitality people been trained? Do you have a follow-up plan in place to make contact with first-time visitors from the community?

Let us give thanks and rejoice for all who come to our Easter services. Many will come because they are visiting relatives in your community. Some who have been marginally active will come because they may have a church memory that draws them to this service of Resurrection and hope. Some will come because they are on a spiritual journey, and we have the privilege of inviting them to be on a spiritual journey, centered in Jesus Christ.



Shirley F. Clement retired from the staff of the Discipleship Ministries in 2003.

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