A fictitious local television station (WWJD) was streaming an extremely informative series on their faith community’s “Neighborhood Watch” feature. They approach total strangers and inquire of them if they would accept an invitation to visit their Church. The reporter follows that question with: “Did you know that when the average person becomes a Christian, he or she is not necessarily thinking ‘horizontally’ about what just happened. i.e., that they have agreed to be adopted into a new family of people. Instead, they are usually thinking ‘vertically’–that is, looking upward to a new-found relationship with the Almighty God and Jesus Christ.

What is not realized at the outset is the fact that the Kingdom of God is like a composite of family members. And that God ordained the creation of a new family community right here on earth made up with those who have become his followers. Basically, the walls that contain the family is called the church; and the place without walls is the heart of the confessed believer.

ISN’T THAT GOOD NEWS!

Jesus’ first group of followers were a community of various people. Better known as the 12 disciples or apostles, this group of men were all baptized, ate and prayed together, performed miracles, wonders and signs, and ministered to the people. (Acts 2:41-47) Over time, the new baptized members learned to participate in the services and other activities of the church. But most of all, the membership learned to fellowship with one another.

What about you? Since your conversion, have you been responsible for introducing someone else to Christ? I asked myself this question and without much hesitation, could recall several opportunities where the Holy Spirit had given me the unction to approach total strangers. My first approach is generally by expressing a compliment concerning something relating to them.

Once when I was eating alone in a restaurant, I noticed a young lady also eating alone seated not too far from me. After a while, I introduced myself and invited her to join me. I learned she had just relocated to my city and was looking for a new beginning. What an opportunity to inquire if she was also looking for a new place of worship. But I said nothing at that time. So, at first I commended her on taking such a brave step. (My agreeing comment allowed her to continue expressing personal information about herself.) The conversation proceeded from there (with her talking and me listening) and NOW with so much information at hand, ultimately, I finally spoke of the sisterhood and family-friendly church home I had and invited her to attend. You guessed it! She eventually became a member of my church. The rest is history.

A few years ago, I celebrated a milestone birthday with a large party attended by a host of family and friends. After reading an article in the AARP monthly magazine, I followed up on what a reader and contributor to the magazine had done. I read where she had given a sum of money to each party participant and had asked them to pay it forward. As a result, she had received feedback from some of her guests with inspiring stories of gratitude. So, I decided to do the same thing.

For my most recent mile-stone birthday I also celebrated it with a big party. This time, since I had more than 80 party goers, I only gave each attendee a dollar and asked them to add to it if they so desired, but to pass it on by paying it forwarded with a blessing that God would be glorified. For me, that turned out to be the highlight of my birthday bash. And several months later, my attendees are still reporting to me their results.

Believe it or not…my friends….more than seven years later attendees are still talking about that big event.

GOD IS STILL BLESSING ME!!

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