Last Sunday of the Church Year

Come and See

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The conversation typically goes like this: “Pastor, we need more members.”

The Pastor responds to the concerned member, “Okay, what would you like me to do?”

The member says, “You should be inviting more people to church...”

Hidden in these words is the misconception that the pastor is not only the best person but also the one solely responsible for inviting people to church.

But listen to this passage from the Gospel of John,
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew
and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of
Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus
saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do
you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him,
“Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” (John 1:43-49)

Is this exchange amazing? Look how Phillip doesn’t argue the skeptical Nathanael into faith. Phillip doesn’t force Nathanael to believe in Jesus. No, he simply and joyfully says, “Come and see.”

Sometimes we make inviting others to church more difficult than it needs to be, but trust me, you don’t need a Master of Divinity to do it. In fact, research shows that 86% of people come to a church because a friend invited them, and only 6% come because a pastor invites them.

As we gather with family and friends in the coming days for Thanksgiving or prepare to exchange pleasantries with neighbors as we shovel the snow that will soon fall on our sidewalks, don’t be afraid to be a disciple of Christ and invite your family, friends, and neighbors to church.

Your words don’t have to be perfect or complicated. Just say, “Come and see.” Then let the Words of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit take care of the rest.

Your unworthy undershepherd,
Pastor Rogness