Invitation Culture

Have you ever been invited to something by someone and through that mere invitation felt a sense of belonging and connection like never before? When I consider how I’ve made decisions throughout the duration of my lifetime, I can often identify that at the core motivation behind my decision began with an invitation.

Jesus’ words to His disciples have always struck a curious tone inside of me - “Come, follow me.” A simple, yet profound invitation to possibility. None of these individuals had a full understanding of what those words meant, nor did they possess and awareness of what they would actually cost them - but they chose to follow anyways.

As I contemplate where we are as a church community and where God is leading us, I can’t help but recognize the power of invitation behind all of it. Over a century worth of ministry connections and investment, primed and metastasized all because of the power of invitation.

Jesus’ invitation to follow Him is both a gift and a challenge. We can reflect His character, His triumph and His light by replicating His passion to invite others to join us in this adventure of a life time. I encourage you to continue to pray for people in your relational sphere of influence who don’t yet know Jesus, and to also find the courage to invite them to join you in following Jesus. Perhaps that invitation might begin with a shared meal, going to a service, learning more about discipleship or helping you serve someone in need. I hope we all find the courage to extend the invitation and leave the response and follow through in terms of results up to the power of the Holy Spirit working the lives of the people we love. Come follow me, and let’s see where Jesus will take us!