March 2026

EASTER: THE BEST NEWS IN THE WORLD

There’s a story told of two children playing together while a movie about Jesus’ life was on television in the background. One of the children was Christian; the other was not. As the film reached the point of Jesus’ crucifixion, the second child became more and more interested in what was happening on the television and began to neglect their play. Frustrated, the first child said, “Never mind about that! He gets out of it in the end!”

I wonder sometimes if this is our attitude toward Easter in the church too. It’s tempting to fast-forward through Jesus’ suffering and death to the Easter lilies and the happy ending. In a broken world, we long for happy endings.

A happy ending is the last thing Jesus’ disciples expected. We read in the Gospels that Jesus told the disciples three times that he must suffer and die and that he would be raised again on the third day (Matthew 16:21-23, 17:22-23, 20:17-19; Mark 8:31-33, 9:30-32, 10:32-34; Luke 9:21-22, 9:43-45, 18:31-34), but they didn’t understand him. They just couldn’t believe it. Humans know something about death, and in our experience, death is final.

Perhaps that’s why the first time Jesus referred to his upcoming death and resurrection, Peter actually talked back to him, rejecting his words Matthew 16:22-23, Mark 8:32-33). When Jesus was arrested, the disciples ran away (Matthew 26:56, Mark 14:50). After Jesus’ death and burial, John reports that the disciples hid away together in fear (John 20:19). Mark reports that the women who found Jesus’ tomb empty on Easter morning didn’t tell anyone because they were afraid (Mark 16:8). Luke reports that when the women did tell the other disciples, they didn’t believe them (Luke 24:11).

The disciples had experienced Jesus’ crucifixion—a real, slow, painful and shameful death—and were convinced that was the end of the story. They couldn’t imagine a reality in which death didn’t have the last word.

And then everything changed.

On the church’s liturgical calendar, Easter is called “The Resurrection of Our Lord.” That name reminds us of the deep power of God at work to save. The God who created the world out of nothing creates new life on the other side of death. Easter isn’t the celebration that Jesus “got out of it in the end.” On Easter, we celebrate the fact that Jesus saw things through to the end, to the cross, to death, to the grave, and that God raised him up to new life!

Our creeds and confessions of faith insist on this: Jesus was crucified, died and was buried. They confess just as clearly that Jesus rose from the dead. There is no narrow escape, no getting out of it. Without death, there can be no resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection shows God breaking into our death-dealing world to give new and eternal life. When we gather for worship, we say in the words of the Apostles’ and Nicene creeds that we believe this! We really believe it! And then, even more boldly, we say we believe in this promise of resurrection for ourselves too!

Paul described Jesus’ resurrection as “the first fruits” of a harvest that will include all believers (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams expressed it like this: “God is never at the end of God’s resources when we are at the end of ours. We really die, and God really remakes us. Creation and resurrection are inseparable activities in God’s response to the death of God’s loved ones.”

The good news of Easter keeps getting better. Easter is not just one day but a liturgical season lasting for seven weeks. In the Scriptures, the number seven conveys a sense of completeness. Because there are seven days in a week and seven weeks in the season of Easter, Easter is sometimes referred to as “a week of weeks,” a fulfillment of fulfillment. The good news is so good that we keep on celebrating and witnessing to God’s gift of new life long after the rest of society has moved on to thinking about the next holiday.

Happy Easter early, Pastor Doug

February 2026

Why Christians Should Invite People to Church

“Want a happier life, more friends and better sex? Go to church.”

So, why invite people to church?

Well, a Lifeway Research study of U.S. churchgoers found that 3 in 5 (60%) respondents offered at least one invitation for someone to attend their church over the past six months. That’s encouraging news. It goes on to show that Protestant churches are more likely to invite people to services than non-Protestant, with 24% of Protestant offering three or more invitations in the past six months versus 15% from others. African-American churchgoers are the most likely to invite others, and younger churchgoers are likelier than older believers to offer invites.

Inviting others to church displays a simple act of hospitality and a deeper expression of our faith. Many churches realize the power of inviting, so they join in things like the annual Back to Church Sunday (BTCS) emphasis.

The BTCS website explains: “Back To Church Sunday is a national church event that happens on the 3rd Sunday of September each year where the churches of America come together to invite their communities to church!”

Even outside of organized efforts, most who read this will recall someone inviting them to church at some point and even inviting someone to church themselves. I believe the practice of inviting others to church is vital today, and here are five reasons why.

1. Fulfilling the Great Commission

Inviting people to our church flows naturally from the Great Commission. As I’ve said before, Christians inviting others to church shouldn’t surprise us because “Christianity is a missionary faith because of the life and teachings of Jesus.” Jesus commands his followers to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). While this call includes more than a simple invitation to a church service, it doesn’t include less. Pastors who encourage churchgoers to invite others will often see those churchgoers growing to speak up about the good news of Jesus with others.

The Great Commission is neither the Great Suggestion nor limited to pastors or missionaries going to foreign nations. Christ has called every believer to the honor of introducing others to Himself. The mission is both “come and see” (John 1:39, 46) and “go and tell” (John 20:21). Every personal invitation represents a step towards fulfilling our role in God’s redemptive plan for the world.

2. Creating a Healing Community

Someone has said the church is not so much a hotel for saints as it is a hospital for sinners. We invite others to join us to find what we already know: that Jesus Christ and his work on our behalf can bring hope and healing into our lives and our world. A church community grows as a family as it reaches out to those who are broken, lost and in need. The church offers community and a place to form meaningful relationships.

Unfortunately, the Lifeway study shows a shift in the reason churchgoers fail to invite others. In 2017, a similar study found that 17% failed to invite others because they didn’t know anyone to invite. This new 2024 study found that number grew to over one-fourth of those surveyed (27%). It’s harder to invite someone we don’t know to church. Believers should get to know those outside our church fellowship. Such intentionality is a vital need today, and believers must push toward growth as we look outside our circles to a world in need.

3. Context for Spiritual Change

Through preaching, teaching, service and community, churches help Christians grow in their faith, deepening their relationship with God. Inviting others to church opens the door to encounter the transformative power of the gospel. Lives are changed, hearts are healed and faith is strengthened through the ministry of the local church. One invitation can be the catalyst for someone’s salvation and spiritual growth. Inviting someone to church also changes the active churchgoers who do the inviting.

Most of our neighbors seek answers, comfort and peace, even if we think some seem to have it all together. When we invite people to church, we offer them a chance to meet Jesus, the One who changed our lives. When we invite others to church, we help create an environment where everyone can find healing and hope in Christ.

4. Building Up the Church

The church is the body of Christ. Every member plays a vital role (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Not everyone is a pastor, teacher or gifted to lead in worship. But everyone can offer an invitation to those in their world. In this way, the church widens its impact as members across a given region reach out to others at work, school and in the neighborhood. Every member can contribute to the growth and strengthening of the body of Christ. New believers bring fresh joy and passion, and new members bring fresh perspectives, gifts and talents to enrich the church and its mission. Personal invitations help create a vibrant fellowship that brings glory to God.

While inviting others to church is not the same thing as personally sharing the gospel, it is often the first step believers take in their journey to grow in their witness for Jesus. Shifting from an inward focus to an inviting focus creates momentum toward verbally sharing Christ.  Sharing the gospel  can feel daunting, but inviting someone to church gives a simple way to start the conversation. It allows those we invite to hear the gospel in the context of public worship.

5. Following the Example of Jesus

Jesus called us to be disciples and to make disciples. A disciple is a learner, and a disciple of Jesus constantly seeks to follow his teaching and example. Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He invited people from all walks of life and levels of brokenness to follow him and become part of his kingdom ( Matthew 4:19 , 8:22, 9:9; Mark 10:21). As his disciples, we follow his example.

Inviting others to church provides opportunities for discipleship to happen as new believers are nurtured in the faith through mentoring, studying the Bible and joining small groups. An invitation can lead to lasting relationships that help people grow into mature followers of Christ, who, in turn, follow his example.

Conclusion

Inviting others to church demonstrates our love for God and others. It helps us fulfill the Great Commission, create a healing community, provide spiritual change and build up the church as we follow the example of Jesus. As we invite others to our church, we participate in God’s redemptive work in the world. This week, you can invite someone to your church and watch what God can do through that simple invitation.

Making Christ Known,

Pastor Doug