From Duke University's Faith and Leadership: "Being an inviting church is really so critical," said Deborah Bruce, project director for the U.S. Congregational Life Survey. "Our research shows over and over the No. 1 reason someone comes to a church for the first time is because someone invites them."

It sounds a great deal like Paul, when he urges the church in Rome to share the good news with their community.  The research says that nearly half of all people who come to a church come because they were invited.  While we consider ourselves to be "friendly" to those who walk through our doors, the fact is that few are likely to come if we don't invite them.  How many ways can you think of to invite a friend or neighbor to become familiar with SOTH?  Ask them to worship?  Forward the e-version of this newsletter?  Share our Facebook address (click on the 'Find us on Facebook' bar to the left)? Give them a paper newsletter or bulletin?  Invite them to an activity?  Have a cup of coffee and tell them your faith story?  Explain why SOTH is important to you?  What other ways can you think of?   Got any stories about sharing your faith?  Email me or post them on our fan page!

When it comes to responding to those visitors, it helps to think in new ways, according to the study.

Thinking in a new way about something familiar is always a hard thing.  Every one of us has comfort zones-places that are secure and restful.  The problem comes when one person's security becomes another's anxiety.  Imagine being with a friend who was raised in another country, say, China.  Together, you walk into a room filled with people speaking Mandarin.  You can see the comfort on your friend's face as he or she noticeably relaxes.  You, however, are surrounded by folks speaking a language that is completely unintelligible to you.  The harsh sounds and multiple tones are confusing and your apprehension begins to grow.  Your friend's comfort is your anxiety.

A Man Walks into a Bar...To preach!

Here's the link!

For those not familiar with the cultures of Lutheran worship, or of our congregation, we might as well be speaking Mandarin.

"So, the next step -- and what is often the hardest part according to many church growth authorities -- comes as congregations are challenged to adapt their traditions to meet the spiritual needs of new members."

Will we be able to respond to the new folks among us by being open to adapting our traditions to meet new spiritual needs?  I think we can be, and I believe it fits well with our Lutheran theology.  Luther was never one to get stuck in tradition for tradition's sake.  Whether it was translating the Bible and the Mass into German, finding pub tunes to transform into hymns, or using the latest technology for sharing the gospel (that new-fangled printing press), Luther had a drive for helping people know about Jesus.  It makes sense that we would speak in the language of our day and meet the spiritual needs of those who come with new questions and need a new look at Jesus.  So, if we're willing to follow Brother Martin's lead, we can learn to discern which of our traditions are necessary for our faith to be true and which of them we can set aside as we move into the future of ministry.

The challenge is set before us-to be an inviting church, and to be a church willing to adapt and grow in order that the folks who come to find Jesus might find him among us, in a language they can understand.

~ PD