Dear friends in Christ,
This Sunday, we’ll hear in the Gospel reading the story of a time when some Greeks approached Philip. “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” These non-Jews wanted to meet the Lord, for they had no doubt heard of his saving love and mighty deeds.
I love that they got right to the point. “We wish to see Jesus.”
Several years ago, I knew someone who was looking for a church. She’d been very involved in her church, and then she had to move to a new town. Because church mattered to her, she wanted to find a church in which to become involved. After several months, I ran into her. I asked her if she’d found a church. No, not yet. I asked her what she was looking for. “I just want to find a church where they’re talking about Jesus.”
It’s so simple. So obvious. And yet, there are plenty of churches that get so busy going through the motions of keeping the doors open, we forget to keep the main thing the main thing. Yes, of course, we Episcopalians mention Jesus in our liturgy. But do we talk about him at coffee hour? Do we share all the ways he is involved in our lives? Do we tell others how much we love him?
In our increasingly secular age, if someone darkens the door of your church, it’s probably for one reason only. They are looking for the living and true God. They want to know the Holy Spirit’s power. They want to see Jesus.
How would your church do? Would people hear you talking about Jesus at coffee hour? Are people sharing their yearning for God’s peace? Do people express their love for God and neighbor? Would every guest and every long-time member say, as they walk out the door on Sunday morning, “I’m so glad I was at church today. I met Jesus”?
Yours faithfully,
Scott Gunn
Executive Director
More from our ministry:
Prepare to celebrate the resurrection: Get your Easter calendar today
Easter devotions from Scott Gunn: Easter Triumph, Easter Joy
Help your church get back to basics with RenewalWorks
Meet Jesus in Scripture: A Journey with Mark