From the Workshop

FROM THE WORKSHOPI am sitting in on a webinar about church websites. The host serves one of our Regions as a staff evangelist. We’ll be looking at what we feature on our website and I have to say I haven’t looked lately. Mostly churches post pictures of their buildings, staffs, and maybe groups. There may be ads about what is coming up. All of the content we put on our website is done by us of course and we are “insiders.” The workshop is asking us to think like “outsiders,” the people we are trying to reach. What do they see when they look at our church, and the website is typically the first introduction. 
 
So what do people digitally dropping in see? If they have young children, they might be looking for events with children. Same for youth. Or service projects? Or groups including seniors! We actually have all of the above! 
 
But there is more than “family friendly” going on here and especially in this season, Lent. As you heard me say last Sunday, all the other church seasons are “up.” Lent is the only season to focus on death and dying, questions we all have but nobody wants to talk about it. Except the people who just lost a son to a car accident, or a husband to a chronic disease. Where is God in all of this? Why is this happening? Should we really be talking about it, especially if we want to reach the young .  .  .  and their parents?
 
Believe it or not, there are churches out there who just don’t talk about this part of life and I’ll tell you a story about one Sunday. Bottom line, if there’s going to be an Easter then there has to be Lent and Holy Week with its crucifixion, death, and burial. All of which Jesus talked about .  .  . openly. He was willing to literally go there. His disciples (including us) are not so sure. Along with those disciples, we have to face that time and these topics are what make us Christian.
 
 
See you Sunday,

Pastor Tom