“Go then to where the roads exit the city and invite everyone you find to the banquet.’ So those servants went out on the roads and gathered everyone they found, both evil and good. The wedding banquet was filled with guests.” (Matthew 22:9–10, CSB)
We cannot ignore the brokenness of our world—the failure of our institutions, the loss of civility, the corresponding denial of free speech, and the absurd inability to even state the definition of a woman. There is a desperate desire to find meaning. People seek to find such meaning in political movements, bizarre forms of spiritualism, or adopt escapism, but to no avail. The previous century began with a popular belief in triumphalism but this century has marched steadily toward anarchy. Our world needs the Lord!
The Church is called to the task of evangelism: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20, CSB). We are also told that “…The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37–38) So, I ask this question: why are the workers so few?
I believe that there are two main reasons why harvesters are so few in the Church. First, there is a prevalent failure to understand that every Christian has a role in the Great Commission. Second, too many fail to act because of fear. To the former, let me say, every Christian is called to the Great Commission. To those who fail to act out of fear, it may be that you misunderstand your role as somehow outside your skill set. But evangelism is centered on invitation not in salesmanship or even apologetics.
If you are a servant, the King is sending you to go to the highways and byways to invite everyone you meet to the Great Banquet. This does not require that we go to a Dale Carnegie course. It does not require a minor in theology. Rather, it requires that we invite. Invite your unchurched family. Invite your good friends. Invite your neighbors. Almost 90% of those attend a church first came because someone invited them. What matters little is the style of music, the name on the sign, or even the liturgy. People are in need of an invitation. And you? Well, you have an opportunity to invite people with whom you already have a relationship.
On September 8, we will hold Friend Day at Saint Timothy’s Anglican. I ask you to commit yourself to three things. First, commit yourself to be here in this congregation’s joint mission and be willing to do the work of preparation. Second, make a list of your unchurched family members, friends, and neighbors who live in our area. Begin praying for those on your list every day between now and Friend Day, that the Holy Spirit would move in their hearts to hear and receive an invitation. And third, prepare to invite ten people to come—even offer them a ride on that day. We’re making this a special day where other visitors will also be joining us; we need you to invite your friends, family, and neighbors.