you’re invited to…
To: ______________________ From: ______________________
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Our Doors Are Open! Copyright © 2011 by Outreach Publishing TM
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission from the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. Outreach, Inc., Vista, CA 92081 www.outreach.com Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189, U.S.A. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked nkjv are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked niv are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. niv®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked msg are from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Scripture quotations marked nasb are taken from the New American Standard Bible, © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. ISBN: 978-1-9355-4148-6 Portions of content written by: Rebecca Currington, in association with Snapdragon Group, Tulsa, OK, USA. Kim Levings, Outreach, Inc. Excerpts included from Re-Discover Church©, ISBN 978-0-9823-7442-9 Outreach Inc. Edited by: Toni Ridgeway, Outreach Inc. Cover and Interior Design: Tim Downs and Alexia Wuerdeman Printed in the United States of America
What’s this all about? If you’re reading this, someone you know cared about you enough to give it to you, possibly even stepping outside of their own comfort zone to ask you about coming to a special event at their church. You may already have a church home, but if you don’t, we hope you will consider responding to this invitation. Even if you’ve previously decided that church is not your thing, or had a bad experience with church, this is an opportunity to give it another try. Churches are not perfect. They are filled with imperfect people who get together and experience the love and teaching from a perfect God. So if church lost its relevance in your life, or you became disillusioned by unfulfilled expectations, or even if you’ve never been to a church at all, we truly hope you will consider visiting. You may even discover that God has something wonderful in store for you, something that could provide a new direction and focus in life. Those who have discovered the benefits of church would be quick to point out the sense of family, love, encouragement, mutual learning, and best of all, a real relationship with an awesome God. Since you’ve read this far, keep reading. You might feel more comfortable if we give you the “rest of the story” behind this invitation. It may also cause you to rethink some of your existing impressions (if any) about church. So we have set out to answer four key questions:
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Why should I go?
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How do i go through the doors?
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what’s inside?
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now what?
The doors are open for YOU
What can I expect?
The real reason the doors are open
What’s next?
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Then Jesus said to them again, Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door ... —John 10:7 (nkjv)
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Why should I go? The doors are open for YOU
In countries around the world, church is a big deal. In America alone, Gallup polls reveal that 40 percent of the population (about 118 million people) say they attend church on Sundays. In addition, there are more than 200 registered denominations just in the U.S. No doubt about it—lots of people go to church, and they go for a variety of reasons. However, you will almost always discover that regular churchgoers became so as a result of having a significant need met, a prayer answered, or a life greatly impacted by a loving God. Sure, you will find some who are there for social reasons, or simply from habit, but most of us began attending church because we were looking for something bigger and more significant than we found doing life alone with our own strength. Maybe this invitation is that moment in time for you? In almost every church, people find significance in being part of a local congregation that becomes, in essence, a spiritual family. These are the people who see church as a place to meet with God, hear His truth, and worship Him alongside others. This builds a deep foundation on love, truth, fellowship, and forgiveness— one that far surpasses what we can find in any other nonchurch relationships. So they discover a deep spiritual dimension in their lives through “vertical” (God) and “horizontal” (other believers) relationships within the church. They come to know the church to be a place of belonging where people deeply care for one another and desire to grow in their faith. In today’s culture, it may seem unusual to have that type of connection, but it does exist! In fact, what we’ve described above is nothing less than what the Bible tells us church should be. The Bible calls the church as a whole (made up of many different congregations) the Body of Christ. It is also known as the “bride” of Christ to describe the love that He has for the church at large. (If you’re still not completely sure about Jesus Christ, read Section 3
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and it will all make sense! Then reread this later if you need to.) These verses from the Bible will help you understand why the church is described this way: Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. —Romans 12:4–5 In addition to this image of the church, the Bible refers to those who have a relationship with God as His “children.” … All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. —Romans 8:14 If we are God’s children, then we are spiritual sisters and brothers, and coming together for church is much like a family coming together at the dinner table. Learning about God is like spiritual food to us, and we gain strength and support from the presence of those we love. Just as visitors are welcome at your dinner table at home, the church doors are always open for new guests, whether first-time visitors or those who have been away from a church home for various reasons. Plus, a dinner table can get downright boring without guests, right? The church needs you. Without new faces, it would be easy for the church to become all about its members and lose touch with the exciting things God is doing in the world. We would also miss out on the special gifts and talents God has placed in your life. It might be your warm smile, your ability to teach, your practical insights, your lovely singing voice, your love for kids, or your computer savvy. There are so many things to be done in celebration and service with God, and we just can’t do it as well without the gifts that you bring.
The Apostle Paul said it this way: “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly” (Romans 12:6–8). There’s a place for you at the table—the doors are always open and you are so welcome!
We hope by now you’ve decided to accept our invitation to join us during our special Sunday event—“worship service” as it’s called by churchgoers. In fact, let’s pause for a moment to clarify why we call it service. It is a time when we worship and learn from God, in order to better serve each other and our community. Just like any family, the church family has some vocabulary that, at first, is only understandable to its members. But once you come as a guest, you will quickly learn the new words we use to describe things.
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✔
What you Gain by going
1. You can be around real people who also struggle with issues but find hope instead of despair.
2. You’ve been thinking about going back to church anyway, and this would be a good time to do it. 3. You can get to know the person who gave you this booklet. 4. You can reconnect with your good memories of going to church as a child, if you have them. 5. Sunday can have a whole new routine in your home—one that you enjoy. 6. It’s a reminder that life is about more than money, stress, work, flaky friends, dysfunctional families, your “stuff,” and … (you fill in the blank). 7. You get the opportunity to actually make the positive change you know you need. 8. You get to make new friends who will learn about all that you’re not, and love you anyway! 9. You’ll get the opportunity to gain a new perspective on the temporary stresses of life through timeless truth—from the timeless God who created you for a purpose much bigger than you know. 10. You can reach out to God and experience a personal relationship with him. (Bonus: Television is really boring on Sundays, and you often get free coffee and donuts thrown in. No need to pay the coffee shop on Sunday.)
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What you lose by not going 1. You miss learning the truth that God really wants you to know about your life.
2. You miss meeting new people—they could become like family if you go, but there is no way they can become like family if you don’t go.
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You miss the opportunity to experience the deep-down joy and peace in your heart that you get while worshipping and singing praises to the God who loves you unconditionally.
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You miss involving your children in the life of a church that will help them grow spiritually and give them a solid foundation for their future.
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If you’re married, you miss the opportunity to build your marriage on a godly foundation with your spouse.
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If you’re single, you miss the opportunity to prepare yourself for a strong marriage with another believer.
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You miss the comfort/support of a church family during difficult times.
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You miss the opportunity for others to pray for you and for you to learn to pray for them.
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You miss sharing the good things with others and celebrating as they share their good things with you.
10. You miss participating in opportunities to serve as the church reaches out to meet the needs of your community
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For millions of men and women, the church has been the hospital for the soul, the school for the mind, and the safe depository for moral ideas. —Gerald R. Ford
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How do I go through the doors? What can I expect?
To help you prepare for this new experience, we’ve anticipated some common questions. Of course, if you’ve been to church before, this is familiar. Feel free to skip it or read it as a refresher. Remember your first day at a new school? You probably arrived feeling a little insecure about what would be expected of you. All churches have their own ways of doing things, and this can seem weird at first when you’re not sure what, when, or how things are done. The best plan is to watch others around you. Regular attendees will know the routine, so follow their lead. If something seems strange or you don’t understand it, you can just go with the flow. It will make sense eventually, and you can’t be expected to know everything at first. Also keep in mind that you are not obliged to participate in any aspect of the service that makes you feel uncomfortable. During this special service, you’ll be one of several visitors and guests, so you won’t be the only new person! It will also help that you meet up with the friend who invited you. When you arrive at church, most likely someone will greet you near the doorway, saying hello and offering their help. Feel free to ask that person for directions. They can help you get to the main gathering, the childcare areas, the restrooms, and how to find coffee! You will probably receive some kind of program or bulletin explaining what will happen during the service; that will also help you know what to expect. Sit wherever you feel comfortable—front, back, aisle seat, mid-row, near the door, in the crowd, away from people, whatever works for you.
What time should I be there? For your first visit, it would be a great idea to get to the church fifteen or twenty minutes early to get a good seat, especially if you are coming with your en family. If you come too e op
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early, though, you might arrive in the midst of service preparations, and the greeters might not be in place yet to answer your questions or show you around. (That could be like getting to a dinner party before the hostess has finished her preparations, which always feels a bit awkward.) If you run a few minutes late or have to arrive after the event has started, don’t worry or decide not to come. The doors are always open and you are welcome to join us at any time.
Is there anything I need to bring? If you have a Bible, bring it so you can follow along with the pastor’s message. If you don’t, no biggie; we have plenty to share. Otherwise, just bring yourself with an open heart and mind to enjoy the experience.
What should I wear? It’s not necessary to dress up for the occasion unless you like to. Even for special events, it’s acceptable to dress casually and comfortably. No one will judge you for what you choose to wear. You’ll see a wide variety of clothing choices in most churches. Of course, it is important to show some respect for the setting and dress modestly. This is probably not the place to wear that ultra short skirt, low-cut/midriff top, or ragged T-shirt. Otherwise, just be yourself and come as you are.
What happens during the service? The service will probably start with music to prepare people for worship. Once an actual worship song starts, people will almost always stand. The lyrics to the songs will be provided, and it’s great to sing along as it helps you engage, but don’t feel like you must.
There might be some announcements about events happening in the church, which will give you a hint about the church’s personality. Next, the pastor will give a teaching on the Bible (the sermon or message). In many churches, either before or after this, the pastor or another leader might ask everyone to greet one another. (Think of the dinner party. It’s a time to actually acknowledge that other people are there that they maybe haven’t met yet.) The people sitting nearby will likely shake your hand and say hello during this time, particularly at this special event since there will be several new visitors. After the message, there might be more singing or more announcements; then the pastor will wrap up and end the service. Most churches offer refreshments afterward—feel free to enjoy them!
Will the church ask for money? If this issue concerns you, please know that the process of giving money is something the “family” does. The intention is to provide for our church needs, and it’s an opportunity for people to give back to God as He has provided for them. Taking an offering (or “passing the plate”) is not by any means the main priority, especially for this special event. You are, first and foremost, our guest. So leave your wallet at home if you’d like. We want you, not your money. (Again, think of the dinner party. Family members provide the food, and guests are simply welcomed and served. If they choose to contribute something it is appreciated but it’s not expected.)
What if the sermon/message is boring? Since this is a special event, chances are it won’t be boring! Pastors put a lot of thought and preparation into what they are going to teach—sometimes for weeks. Of course, not every message is going to connect with you right away—another reason why it’s good to come back a few times. At times, messages will challenge/connect with you more, while at other times they are more pen
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educational, like learning theory rather than the practical, relevant, “He must be speaking to me!” moments. This is an area where you may need to be open-minded and trust that God will show you what you need to know, when you need to know it. Reality is, we’ve all come into church at various stages of spiritual growth and understanding of who God is and what Christianity is all about. Some of us learn Bible stories in our childhood; others never enter a church until we are adults. Just like jumping into the middle of a television series that you’ve never watched before, (or picking it back up if you’ve been away for a while) watch a few episodes and you’ll soon get engaged in the story. In fact, God has guaranteed that all of us will be able to learn and master the principles of the Christian faith when we become believers. It’s a lifelong journey that starts with one step.
After the service, what do I do? If refreshments are being served, it’s a great opportunity to hang out a bit and possibly meet more people. This is entirely your choice, however. It really depends on your personality and how comfortable you feel. Sometimes it’s less threatening to keep a low profile on the first visit. Simply be polite and introduce yourself when asked. If someone asks if it’s your first time, it’s okay to tell the person that you’re “just visiting.” You needn’t engage in a long conversation. It’s good to be open to meeting at least one new person. It will be easier to come back if you recognize at least one familiar face.
What if no one talks to me? For this special Sunday service, we are committed to helping visitors feel welcome, so chances are you won’t be ignored. You might have experienced an outsider feeling in churches or other organized groups before, and sometimes regular church family
get caught up in their own circles. They can also be shy about meeting new visitors and guests. If you feel like no one’s talking to you, introduce yourself to the person who greeted you at the door, the person serving refreshments, or someone who sat next to you.
Should I respond to the request for my contact information? You may be asked to fill out an information card. It is your choice whether to fill it out or not. We’d love to know that you came and visited. Plus, if you have something important you want us to pray about for you, this card usually allows a place for that. It also gives us the opportunity to introduce ourselves and find out a little about you. We want to do more than notice your face in the crowd—we want to remember you in our prayers and recognize your name if you should call for help sometime in the future. We also want to be able to let you know when our congregation is doing something special again that you might want to be part of. So it’s no big deal if you don’t give the church your information, but there are many advantages if you do.
What if I go, but I’m not ready to commit to joining the church or even coming back for another visit? We want to welcome you as a guest to the “family dinner.” There is no obligation or commitment to any future engagement with us. We would love to have you come and be part of this special event and experience what life is like in the family of God. Of course, we are hopeful that you will come back to visit us again.
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We will be delighted if you decide to come on a regular basis and get involved or if you choose to try out another church instead. The decision is yours alone, and we won’t take it personally if you choose not to return.
If I choose not to come to church, does that make me a bad person? Going to church is never about being good or bad. It’s about the opportunity to learn more about God, grow in faith, gain wisdom, and build relationships with people who experience the same mercy, compassion, and forgiveness that you will experience. Church should be a positive influence in your life, a place where you can be real and develop a new focus in life while being supported by others walking the same journey. Church is about helping you grow. Imagine taking a seed and putting it in soil and leaving it there. Will it grow? Probably—in fact, it may even develop into a small shrub with the help of rain, sunshine, and fresh air. But if it isn’t tended over time, the shrub may become stunted in its growth. What if that shrub had been tended by a gardener who clipped away the dead leaves, pruned the branches, and watered, fed, and nurtured it? That shrub would thrive and probably be in full flower every spring, constantly growing into a bigger and bigger masterpiece in the garden. Its roots would go down deep and spread wide, and it would grow to be established and healthy.
It’s never too late. You can’t screw up so badly that God can’t find something worth building in the wreckage, that life can’t assert its return when it is time. —Barbara Crafton
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This is just how Jesus taught us about the importance of spiritual growth and staying connected to Him. God is our gardener, Jesus is like the vine, and we are the branches. How can a branch sustain itself if it’s not connected to the vine? [Jesus replied]: “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” —John 15:4–5 You may well be aware of some dead leaves and stunted growth in your own life. Maybe it’s time to bring your shrub back to the gardener for some tending.
What is the most important tip of all? Be yourself! Come with an open heart and mind. We are sure God will meet you here. We promise to do our best to make it a good experience for you, and there’s no doubt that God will be waiting to bless you, comfort you, renew you, restore you, and fill you with joy.
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What’s inside? The real reason the doors are open
We hope you’re feeling more comfortable about visiting us for our special Sunday. Our church doors are wide open to welcome you! So what’s the rest of the story? What is really inside those doors? In the final pages, we want to share with you the real reason church exists. No hidden agenda. We want to give you the punch line ahead of time. Hopefully, it will make your church experience more powerful as you hear the message and experience God’s touch in person. The following pages will also give you an opportunity to open the doors to your heart—on which Jesus has been knocking. First of all, anyone can become a member of God’s family! You have been given an open invitation to be adopted as one of God’s own cherished sons or daughters. That’s right, we become children of God by being adopted into His family—and it is Jesus who has made that adoption possible.
Jesus—the Door Jesus Christ, God’s Son, opened the door for us. Through Him, God has extended an invitation to us to be adopted into His family, so that we can become children of God. “‘And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.” —2 Corinthians 6:18 Not only is Jesus the door into the family of God, He is the only door.
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Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” —John 14:6 The Bible is clear that Jesus is the only door through which we can gain access to God. God the Father acknowledges His only Son as the only one qualified to expedite our adoption as full-fledged sons and daughters. He promises that He will gladly accept anyone who comes to Him by way of His Son, Jesus. No one will be turned away—no one!
How did this happen? The Bible tells us that God sent His Son, Jesus, to heal the broken relationship between Himself and His most beloved and wayward creation, mankind. God originally intended people to relate to Him on a personal level—that was the intent in the Garden of Eden. But when Adam and Eve first sinned (disobeyed God), they severed that connection, as it’s impossible for God to be associated with sin. From then on, people have chosen to go their own way and not God’s way. By doing this, they are eternally separated from God. But God loved us so much and wanted us back in the family, that he sent His only Son, Jesus, to be born as a human being and live among the people on earth. He would live a sinless life, teaching the truth about the Father and showing people how to love and live without sin. He was obedient to God’s plan, even in death, and was sacrificed to pay for our sins. He took our shame, disobedience, and rebellion on Himself. By doing so, Jesus paid the price for us, and we are able to walk through the door Jesus is holding open for us and into a personal relationship with God once more. We are redeemed, reconciled, and reborn as God’s children—part of His beloved family.
The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus’ death on the cross, some thirty-three years after His birth, fully satisfied the judgment for sin and made right the breach sin had caused: … Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. —Hebrews 9:28 The Bible makes it clear that those who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will have all of their sins (past, present, and future) forgiven forever. Take a look at these confirmations from the Bible. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” —John 3:16–17
“… Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” —Acts 10:43 (nasb)
He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. —Ephesians 1:7
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. —1 John 1:9 (niv)
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins. … As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. —Psalm 103:2–3, 12 (niv)
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During Jesus’ life on earth, He taught us what it means to be fully human: to have a trusting, open, intimate relationship with God and with others. His words were not without their detractors, however. Eventually, Jesus’ enemies succeeded in having Him put to death. But in truth, they were playing right into God’s plan. By surrendering His perfect life, Jesus became our Savior. He traded a perfect life for our lives, scarred and battered by sin. No longer would we have to be identified as children of sin, but now we could become children of God! And having given His life—Jesus arose from the grave by the power of God, conquering sin once and for all. The gift of an open door to God is one for our taking. We have the choice to accept it or reject it. No amount of good deeds or living a “clean” life makes us right with God. The Bible has made it abundantly clear. Only through our acceptance of Jesus can we be restored. This can only be done by faith, that is, by taking Jesus at His word and placing our confidence in Him. The Apostle John said: But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. —John 1:12 This is a profound change that goes far deeper than simply deciding to “turn over a new leaf.” When we accept the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross, all of the benefits of His death and resurrection become ours. He sends His Holy Spirit to live within us. The result is that we are able to enter a trusting, honest, secure, relationship with the One who created us. Over a period of time, as we grow in faith and understanding, we experience change from the inside out, and our lives align more closely with God’s truth and love.
Jesus Stands at the Door In the book of Revelation, Jesus says: “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” —Revelation 3:20 You know now that Jesus has thrown open the door to God’s presence. But there is another door that must be opened in order to open the way between you and God. The second door is the door to your heart. God has made His wishes known to us. He wants to adopt us all, make us all His sons and daughters. You have a choice in the matter as well. For that reason, God has commissioned Jesus to come to each of us gently and respectfully and knock on the door. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. —1 Timothy 2:5–6 Can you picture Jesus standing at the door of your heart? Will you open the door to Him? Ask yourself—am I ready to know my heavenly Father like never before? Am I ready to be a part of His family? Am I ready for a new beginning? The greatest gift any of us can receive is the gift of new life that God has made possible through His Son, Jesus Christ. This new life is truly a gift. It isn’t something we deserve or something we can earn. It’s completely free. You can receive this gift today. The breach in your relationship with God, your Creator, has already been repaired.
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A Place in the Family All you need to do is open the door of your heart and receive Jesus. You can pray these words or use words of your own that express your heart’s desire:
Dear Jesus, I believe that you died on the cross for me. I believe that you arose from the grave and conquered death and sin on the cross. You proved that you are who you said you are. I know that you did it so that my sins could be forgiven, and I could become your son/daughter. Thank you for loving me and dying for me. I now accept you into my life. I admit that I have done many things wrong and ask you to forgive me. Live in me and lead me as your child from now on. Amen If you have just accepted Christ, you have something wonderful to celebrate! As is true with all family relationships, your relationship with God will grow stronger as you cultivate the love and trust that began today. Following are some simple things you can do to make that relationship grow.
• Tell someone about your decision to place your faith in Jesus. Let someone celebrate with you! You might consider telling the person who gave you this booklet, or perhaps the pastor of the church on our special Sunday. Often, once you have made this decision, you will experience some challenges and difficulties. It’s essential to have support in the early stages of your new journey.
• Begin the daily habit of talking with God through prayer. This can be done anywhere and anytime, out loud or silently. Just talk with Him as you would with a good friend. Relax and share your heart with Him. He is always listening. As you pray and listen reflectively, you will sense God speaking with you, too.
• Open the Bible. You can find one at nearly any bookstore, or you can read it free on the Internet. Begin with one of the books that tell about the life of Jesus. There are four written accounts of His life, contained in the Gospels (Gospels means “good news”) written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These are followed by the book of Acts, a great way to learn about the first church and the journeys made by the first followers of Jesus. • Find a Bible-teaching resource. The Bible is a collection of sixty-six books that span thousands of years. It is divided into Old and New Testaments—the segue being the birth of Jesus, which starts the New Testament. To jump into Bible reading without a guide can be overwhelming. Ask another believer or a pastor to help you find a good resource for learning about the Bible. Treat your Bible like a new textbook to life. Highlight, add notes, and personalize passages with margin notes—all designed to help you connect with the Word of God.
• Gather with other believers for worship every week. Going to church will greatly strengthen your faith and you will be an encouragement to others as well. Your new spiritual family includes not only your heavenly Father but also all those who have, like you, passed through the Jesus door. They are now your brothers and sisters in the Lord. Welcome to the family!
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• Engage in the life of the church. Many churches also offer additional events, service opportunities, and small groups. We encourage you to connect where you fit best, as you will make more friends and have more opportunities to learn about your walk with Christ.
Are you already a believer? You may have known Jesus for a few years or even all of your life. Maybe you’ve already discovered Jesus’ true identity and the nature of His mission here on earth. Maybe you’ve already accepted the sacrifice He made for you. He lived a perfect life, died for your sins on the cross, and was raised three days later so that you could be reunited with your heavenly Father. If you do, then you already know why being part of God’s family holds critical significance for your life today. If you’ve been a Christian for a while, though, you may be reluctant to accept our invitation because you’ve had a bad experience with church in the past. As we said earlier, not all Christians are perfect, and it hurts to think that a church member may have caused you to leave. Church is a place where people from all walks of life gather, so issues and conflicts can tend to gather, too. We hope you won’t allow a few disagreeable Christians to keep you from a relationship with the God who loves you. In one of his many letters to first-century believers, the Apostle Paul wrote these words: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. —Ephesians 4:32 (niv) We know forgiveness can be difficult. God promises to help you through it if you ask Him, and it’s the first step to healing. The doors are still open for you to return.
It could be that your reluctance to go back to church is not about a previous experience. Maybe you’ve just been busy, and church has slipped out of your schedule. You are not the first person to drop out of church for lack of time. We live in a society that is always rushed. Church can seem like the easiest activity to drop. You might even think that you don’t really need church to grow spiritually anyway. We encourage you to reflect on this and perhaps identify those areas of your life where you realize Christ has been missing and you feel it. The Bible encourages us to make church a priority: Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. —Hebrews 10:25 (niv) This could well be the opportunity you need to reconnect with a faith family and put church on the priority list again.
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Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. —Hebrews 10:25 (niv)
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Now What? What’s next?
This booklet contains a lot of information—but we hope we have answered some of your questions and given you reason to think about saying yes to the invitation. We are excited that you might be joining us on our special Sunday. It would mean a lot to us. Sure, it might be a little awkward at first coming to a new place with people you don’t know. Actually, you may look around and see someone you know. It might even be the person who gave you this invitation. If you choose to come back, those faces in the crowd will soon become the faces of friends rather than strangers. Remember, don’t worry about fitting in. God’s children, like any family, are all different, but it’s in the common bond of one Father that we are united. There is room for all of us around His table. So don’t hesitate. Our doors are open!
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“The Doors are Open” is a message for everyone—including you. If the very thought of going back through the doors of a church creates anxiety, frustration, guilt, or all of the above—this little booklet may help. Or maybe going to church has just never occurred to you. We hope that you will find this booklet useful in making a decision to accept an invitation to church. In anticipation of your possible concerns or questions as you think about church in the context of your life right now—we answer four questions:
Why should I go? How do i go through the doors? what’s inside? now what? This may be the opportunity for you to explore church—the doors are open—come on in!
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