Luke 5 - Churches often host wonderful parties with the hope of attracting new people. The communion service is a reenactment of a dinner party. It is a celebration. Let's make it a party. We rejoice (in a dignified manner of course) and then eat together.
Levi's party brought together his new found friend Jesus and his old friends. He hoped to reach his friends for Jesus. When you find something good you want to share it. Levi wanted to share Jesus with his friends.
Jesus knew his coming as a man invited a party. In response to the Pharisees Jesus said, "You do not fast when you have the bridegroom with you, no you party!" A wedding was a good example of a long and joyful party. You saluted the new married couple and celebrate hope of new life that comes with it. There is hope for happiness, hope for new life in the form of children to come.
A party is truly a gospel event when you invite new people, people who do not know the good news. Reach out and invite those in need to your party. If you churches services do not include new people it is not as exciting. Invite new people to the party.
Church festivals are good opportunities to invite new people. In the fall we had a soccer festival. At Christmas we did a Posada. Just this last Sunday a bunch of us got up early and had a cheering party for the marathoners. The praise band played for over two hours from the porch of a house in the neighborhood. It was a celebration. Many of the runners smiled as they passed the five mile point behind our church.
From 7 until a little after 9 we encouraged the runners, cheered and sang the praise songs. Neighbors did come by to see what we were doing and say hi. We told them we were from the church on E. 11th Street. Some seemed interested. It was a low keyed outreach.
Church parties can be a good way to draw in new people.
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