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
Labels: Canada Day, church
posted by David at 9:35 a.m.
2 Comments:
I'm just trying to figure out how to transport some pews to our backyard...and figure out how many hymnbooks to have on hand... Seriously, those are excellent thoughts and ideas and so true. We need to think much differently in the culture in which we live. Thanks Dave.
2:44 p.m.
What a great idea! We need to do that more often. Not just on Canada Day. I am a firm believer in getting to know your neighbours and others in your local community. We need to always ask ourselves "How can we help You?" Like you said Dave, no strings attached. Just find a reason to get together and do it. It doesn't have to be fancy.
There is nothing like the feeling one receives when you are blessing others. We need to bless others, be and example yes, be a follow of Jesus yes, Be a friend definetly. Lets all reach out to those around us. Have some fun and get to know what makes the people in our community and the community itself tick!!
I attend such an event this year and it was a blast. I am looking forward to the next opportunity that arises to though a party! Hope you all had a great Canada Day. I did! - Bonnie
10:17 p.m.
Post a Comment
<< Home