Update Tuesday 8/5/12

One of the healthiest signs I can think of for a church is to see friends inviting friends.  On the one hand it tells you a bit about how the members are thinking.  I think it is a sign that they are committed and invested.  It also helps to show that they recognize their role in evangelism and reaching out, that we are all disciples called to live out the great commission and be involved in sharing the good news as we go.  I think that it also indicates that the members feel that there is something special about the community and the experience of gathering together with their particular group that is worth sharing.  On the other hand it is encouraging because I really feel that the greatest likelihood of someone both coming to experience a group but also finding a place and sticking is when there is a personal connection.  This is most likely to happen when a friend invites another friend.    This is not the only way to engage with the community or to invite people, and in fact last week I shared a story of a new person that we actually met on the street, but I am encouraged when friends invite friends for all the reasons I shared above.  This past week I had the opportunity to hear of two such instances.
Last Tuesday, we welcomed another international student to join us as we met, shared a meal, worshiped and opened the Word together.  She is the friend of one of the other international students that joins us each week and with whom we have had the pleasure of introducing to Jesus and walking with as she grows in the knowledge of who Jesus is, what He has done and what He wants to do in and through us.   These two students know each other from school, spend a lot of time together and have become quite good friends.  When my wife shared with our one student that it would be absolutely fine (in fact encouraged!) that she invite her friend to join us, she jumped at the opportunity and the two joined us the very next Tuesday.  I am encouraged that they would be joining our fellowship each week as community can be an important thing especially when you are half a world away from home and by yourself for the first time.  I am also excited about the possibility of encouraging our one students to step up to the challenge of sharing what she has learned about Jesus with her friend.
I was also encouraged by another occasion this past week when another member of our group shared about a friend that they have who is moving back into our neighbourhood.  This member was explaining that they had been sharing about our house fellowship as well as our homeless ministry both of which intrigued their friend.  When this friend has settled back into the neighbourhood it is likely that they will want to come and experience the things that our group has been doing.  We look forward to the opportunity to welcome one more interested individual and pray that they might find a home within our fellowship.
So, today I find myself encouraged about some of the things going on in our group.  Welcoming new people and the prospect of welcoming more is always exciting.  Watching people really find a place within the group, show commitment and even begin to invite others is also a very encouraging thing.