...supporting your home church.

Dear sisters, can I be totally honest here? It's happening again. Many years ago, when churches discovered radio and then TV, many began broadcasting their services, and there were programs of all kinds, from talk shows to prayer to teaching shows. And it was good. It was great to see the Word of God travel through the airwaves and reaching those who otherwise would never have set foot inside a church, or were home bound. Now, church was coming to us, right into our living rooms. Yes, it was great.

     Unfortunately, like everything in life, his coin had another side. Soon, some started abusing the privilege, and a few even drained their listeners bank accounts, especially those more vulnerable, using less than ethical practices to get them to send their money in. Others used the medium and their personal charisma to fill up their churches with curious or unhappy members of other congregations who thought that the grass would be greener on the other side. Yet others simple walked innocently into the trap. I saw church hopping friends and acquaintances who eventually never returned to church. I saw dear pastor friends see their flocks dwindle, because they did not have the resources that the others had to keep up with the technology of the time. But, let's face it, grass is grass, and it is only as green as we care for it.

     As I said, it is happening again. For some time now, churches have been taking advantage of the new wave of technology, coming at us through the internet and social media. And it is good. Most recently, forced to stay at home, and as the need to leverage the technology to come to our homes, more and more churches are coming live on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and others. The number o services, programs, websites, blogs and Facebook groups (this one included) has increased exponentially. And that is good. But please don't tune out just yet. Hear me out. 

     I have also seen, to my sadness, how the abuse is beginning to show its ugly head. I don't know about you but, I cherish my privacy, and I have begun to see a little bit of the same ol' same ol', even if unintentionally. I have been receiving by Private Messenger and even texts, invites from friends that attend other congregations, in their zeal to invite others to their services. It didn't anger me, but it did make me a bit sad. 

     Please do not take this wrong. Advertising is good. Advertising your service in a mass medium is awesome. I do it. You should too. After all we all think our church does it best, right? That is a very good thing. We should all take pride in our own church, big or small. But I guess that my encouragement, my dear sister in Christ, is that we should be a little bit careful when inviting friends from another church to ours. The world calls this proselytism, and even in the world is not very well looked at.

     So, in summary. Please continue inviting to Sunday's service. Pastors, please continue live-streaming the services on Facebook, let's inundate the internet with Bible studies and reflection times. My dear sister, support your home church. But let's be wise and respectful to others. Join, if only virtually, your own brothers and sisters who have been your community for years, and proclaim together that indeed HE IS ALIVE. And let others do the same with their church family. Later, if you want to fellowship as friends, and share services or teachings, do so. If you want to invite privately, invite those that you know don't have a home church. Honor your pastor and your Savior bringing in those who don't know Christ. Every one wants a piece of the pie, and that is, again, a good thing. But, wouldn't it be so much better if, instead of competing for the bigger pieces we'd just...make the pie bigger?

Happy Easter, my friends! HE IS RISEN! Go worship at your church tomorrow (well, watch the service).