I figured I should probably write now before it passes! I've had a post circling in my head for the past few days about parenting and children and insanity, but that one has to wait, because I need to share somefrom the unholy pastor part of me!
I read in someone else's blog recently about "crowd and core" mentality for church growth; that many churches hat are growing do so with big, flashy media, and great passion-filled sermons, and young, cool, hip people to show how cool their congregation is! His premise however is that Lutheran churches don't do so well going that glory route...they are centered in the cross, and know that churches are built not by numbers but through loving Christ-filled relationships.
You know the amazing thing? These relationships can be built and nurtured no matter how big the congregation...the whole two or three gathered thing. And right now my tiny little congregation is feeling the Spirit blow and is listening! We've literally opened our doors to the community and have walked outside; for two hours every Thursday we fill the parking lot with bouncing balls, blowing bubbles, hula-hoops, and lots and lots of chalk. And we play! We sent invitations and they've showed up...on bikes and scooters, in cars and on foot! And not only the kids, but their parents, and not only me, but our own young people and grandmas alike! And after we play, we eat lunch, all clean up and go home.
And in three short weeks, I've met more people from Lee than I have in the five years I've been there! And relationships are being formed...and maybe (since indeed there are two or three gathered)...Jesus has eaten a few peanut butter sandwiches too!
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