First United Methodist Church - Garden City, KS

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September is Open House Month!

The beginning of September marks a turning point for many of us.  School is back in session, summer activities are winding down, and we feel the need to get a little more organized.  As people begin to focus on their priorities, many of them will think about their relationship with God.  That is one of the reasons the United Methodist Church has chosen September as Open House Month.  Nation-wide television ads will proclaim that we are the people with “Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors.”  Some of the people you know are no doubt wrestling with issues of faith.  They may be asking questions about what they believe.  They may be looking for answers.  Will you help them? 

Each of us has found in our church a place where we are loved and accepted, a place where we can wrestle with questions of faith and be nurtured in our relationship with Jesus Christ, and a place where we can be challenged to live out our faith each day.  There are people all around us who need those same things.  They too are looking for meaning in their lives.  There are people in your circle of friends and acquaintances who need to experience the love and grace of Jesus Christ.  Will you invite them?  Will you offer to bring them?  That is our mission as a church.  We are called to make disciples for Jesus Christ, to share God’s message of love and grace with our neighbors.  Will you help? 

Consider using the FRAN Plan.  What is that, you ask?  The FRAN Plan is a simple system for inviting people to church.  Think of four people – a Friend, a Relative, an Associate, and a Neighbor.  Write their names down on a card, then -
            Make a commitment to pray for each of them every day.
            Ask God to help you recognize opportunities to issue an invitation to them.
            Make an effort to contact this Friend, Relative, Associate, and/or Neighbor.
            Invite one of them to worship with you each Sunday this month.
            (You may want to offer to pick them up and bring them with you.  Certainly you will want to sit with them when they come and help introduce them to others in our church family.)

What else can you do?
During the month of September apply the Circle of 10 and the Rule of 3.
            What is the Circle of 10?
                        Be sure you speak to everyone who comes within 10 feet of you!
            What is the Rule of 3?
                        Don’t speak to your closest friends for the first 3 minutes after worship.
                        Seek out those you don’t know or rarely visit with and speak to them first.

I recently read an article that listed the two most common questions asked by people who visit a new church:
            Is anyone here like me?
            Is anyone here interested in me?
Each of us can help by taking an interest in every person we see in church.  Will you make it your responsibility to help every guest feel welcome?  The same article revealed an unbelievable statistic:  “How often does the average church member invite someone to church?  One time every 14-½ years.”  We can do better than that!

It is a privilege for me to be in ministry with you.  See you Sunday.
 

David

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