Skipping Church

Psst! Want a reason to skip the usual church service this Sunday? Have I got a suggestion for you: Have a Canada Day party!
Here's the plan: invite your neighbours, friends, maybe even a few Christians. Host a barbecue to celebrate Canada Day in you neighbourhood. Provide the meat, and ask your guests to bring salads or desserts. Specifically ask someone to make and bring a special Canada Day cake. My personal favourite is a strawberry cake covered with dream whip and then decorated with cut strawberries to look like a Canadian flag.
What do you do at the party? Play hymns, give an altar call - you know, the usual things you'd expect in a church service. Of course you know I'm kidding! (I hope you know I'm kidding!)
Play games with the kids, sit around and relax, get to know your neighbours. You could take some time to have a few people share what they appreciate about Canada.
When it's time for the fireworks in your municipality, travel together, set up your blankets and lawnchairs and get ready to take in the show!
Now that you've gotten to know your neighbours, continue to foster relationships with them. There's no agenda here, just an opportunity to build community. How are we as followers of Jesus to have an impact in our communities and neighbourhoods if we spend all of our time in church, church activities, and only with Christians? Your neighbours need you to get to know them, and you need them to get to know you. You'd be surprised to find out that God is at work in your neighbourhood if you'll just take the time to slow down, look around, and see God's Spirit at work.
May God bless you this week, and enjoy Canada Day!
By the way, if you gather together with one or two other Christians for a party with your neighbours, you won't be skipping church: you are the church!
If your pastor objects, tell him or her to come talk to me. I'll be glad to discuss ecclesiology with them!
Are you following Jesus, or are you asking Him to follow you?
David