Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’ But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’” – Jesus: Luke 14
We are still all invited to the party! So come already!
Derek Maul
This is my final post from our big party this past weekend. With all the photographs shared, and even the good words to get the message across, I could not quite capture the motion, the emotion and the commotion that defined the noisy, bustling reception – the wonderfully catered luncheon that spilled out under the tent and onto the church lawns.
So at one point I took out my phone and filmed this sweeping two-minute video that hopefully gets to the heart of the spirit that filled our church.
I am going to make the same point that I have each day so far, but – again – with a different emphasis. What I’m talking about is the unparalleled benefit of centering life in and around a local church community.
First-Order priority:
Church has been critically important to community life for so long that the decision many have taken, to move it off their radar in terms of a first-order priority, has far-reaching consequences.
- Consequences for individuals experiencing loneliness and social isolation in record numbers.
- Consequences for families, who need grounding in something that not only points them to God but provides valuable checks and balances in the challenges and stresses of raising children.
- Consequences that impact our communities, because church is typically the nerve center of cooperative charitable and community building initiatives.
- Consequences in terms of community cohesion, and mental health, and dialogue, and strong families and so much more.
I could go on, but my point is clear. We all recognize the danger our nation is in of losing our grounding, losing our way and losing the cooperative spirit that makes democracy work. The answer is staring us in the face.
You are welcome to start your journey home here with us. I look forward to seeing you in church – DEREK
We are still all invited to the party! So come already!