Who Needs The Church?

This week our 15-year-old dog Ali died.  We'd had her since she was an 8-week-old puppy.  The loss was difficult for all of us, probably more difficult for our kids and especially difficult for our 13-year-old son.  After all it's the first living thing that he's lost in his entire life.

And this week Marsha and I were forced to make difficult decisions and have tough conversations with our kids.  It was not an easy week.  And as I've been thinking about it and processing it (in my mind rather than  through my emotions) I've been reminded that life is hard and that having people in my life is important.

Our small group prayed with us about this on Friday night.  Staff and other friends at our church encouraged us.  And family members were supportive and even helped with some of the logistical details (the burial at Grandma and Pop Pop's house.)  All because we were losing a family pet that meant a lot to us.

Here's what I know, there's a lot of people all around me, and you too, dealing with loss.  And their loss is a lot more substantial than a family pet.

• The loss of a family member or friend.
• The loss of a job.
• The loss of health.
• The loss of finances.
• The loss of a relationship.
• The loss of a dream.

That list could go on and on.  Here's what else I know.  NO ONE and NO FAMILY should ever go through any of those things alone.  That's why the church exists; to help people make it through life when life is hard.  And there's nothing in this world in a better position to do that than the church.

So let me ask you this, who do you know that needs to be connected to the church?  They may not being going through a loss or difficultly right now, but one day they will be.  Who do you know that's disconnected?  And what are you going to do about that?

Here's a simple suggestion:  Invite them to go to church with you.  They may say "no" - it's a risk.  But they may say "yes" and it may change their life forever.

Easter is just two weeks away.  If ever there's a time when someone will say "yes" to an invite to church it's Easter.  Easter affords us an opportunity that, with the exception of Christmas, we don't have the rest of the year.  

Invite them, bring them and help them connect.