Invite

I had a nice chat with Barb K who’s currently conducting a pre-baptismal class in Ottawa. The small group of children will be working with her over an extended time. They’re getting to know the church they’ll be joining from many perspectives.

Barb speaks, lovingly, of the learning and behavioural challenges of these particular children. And I use the word “challenges” not to suggest disability. In fact, sometimes a gifted child presents an even greater challenge to a parent or teacher or congregation. The secret, she shared with me, has been to invite a guest to the class to talk about something for which that person has a special passion, or some unusual insight, or additional experience. What a breakthrough!

Barb shares just how successful this has been. The children look forward with excitement to greet the guests. The guests have shared wonderful information and testimonies with the children. They’re glad to have the opportunity (and I suspect to have Barb there riding herd on the little beasts). With guests, the class is on best behaviour.

The children share what they’re learning at home with families and look forward and plan for the day they’ll be baptized to show the world they’re followers of Jesus and full-fledged members of the Community of Christ.

Then, of course, Barb the Seventy can’t resist reminding me that invite is such an essential word for all of us to remember, all the time. It’s how we reach out into the community to meet the needs of the lost and seeking, and to bring in the richness and diversity we need to grow our congregations and engage in God’s mission for the world.

So there you have today’s good word: Invite!

(Posted by Marion)