Black Friday for the Church

           Wow, it’s been a while. Sorry bout that. I know this is necessary for you to make it through a week. I’ve been a little busy. This is Easter week. For those of you that don’t know, I am a Pastor. I Pastor RIO 180 Church on Montvale Station Rd. in Maryville TN (our services are 9:30 & 11:30am on Sundays {shameless plug}). And in case you aren’t aware, Easter is a pretty big deal to churches and Pastors. It’s kind of like Black Friday only instead of offering great deals; we offer eternal life through Jesus. Kinda cool, huh? But really it is soooooooo much more than just salvation. I mean that’s a huge deal but there is more.

           

Easter is the most incredible holiday of the year. I’m not sure exactly why the government hasn’t taken it away but it is the day that is recognized as the day that Jesus rose from the dead. No jokin, it’s on almost every calendar, phone, and computer and hasn’t been taken off yet. Probably shouldn’t brag too much or it could happen.

           

Other than the whole resurrection thing, there is another reason that I love Easter. The churches are full. That is the way it should be. I mean full. More than Christmas, more than Mother’s Day, and fo sho more than Father’s Day. People come and hear the Gospel. And not just any sermon, it’s THE sermon. Jesus crucified and Jesus resurrected.

And there is the rub for me. For years, our church has had dramas, plays, skits, mimes, and anything and everything special for Easter. As a matter of fact, our Easter service looked almost nothing like our normal church service. So this year we are doing something different. We will be having a normal, mind-blowing, service complete with praise and worship (our praise team is amazing), hopefully a good message that is relevant and practical (pray for me, its like end of year evaluation for me), and an invitation at the end to accept Jesus(that’s where you come in). Before all of this, our plan is to have our regular people watching out for those that don’t normally attend and make every effort possible to make them feel welcome. Not embarrass them by asking, “Where have you been all year?” But thank them for coming and love them for being here, even if it is their first time in several months.  

Here is what the Easter service is to me (yes salvation; get your judgment drawers out of a wad); Easter is an incredible opportunity for us to showcase that church can be fun, enlightening, encouraging, and inspirational. It has the potential to be a place where people who are broken go to find Jesus and get put back together.

I think of church people as a family. In its truest form it should be, in my opinion.  And I think of a church building as sort of a home for that family. Let me tell you about my home where my parents live. I don’t knock when I go home. I belong and I am welcomed with open arms every time I show up. The people in that home love me unconditionally. It doesn’t matter how long it has been since I have been there I am treated the same.

If I’m hungry, there is food at Mom and Dad’s house. If I’m hurting, there is healing at Mom and Dad’s house. If I am angry, there is peace at Mom and Dad’s house. If I’m lonely there is companionship at Mom and Dad’s house. And here is something else. I never have to ask if I am welcome. I know I am. It is home.

Tammy and I strive to have our house be that for our family. Kelcey and Jordan, as much grief as I give them, should know that they can always come home and everything will be right. A place of love, acceptance, challenges, warmth and peace.

Guess what? We are trying to make RIO 180 the same way along with a few hundred other people. You are invited to put us to the test. If you come and don’t feel like we want you here. Don’t experience the presence of God. Don’t have more than two people smile at you. Don’t hear a message that is applicable to your everyday life… then we have failed to be the church we so desire to be.

Put us to the test please! We need the practice.

I pray you have an awesome Easter. I hope your home family and church family are blessed beyond your imagination. God bless and see you Sunday (our services are 9:30 & 11:30am {another shameless plug}).

Pastor Dad