You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
Perhaps you have heard the phrase, “We came in the side door.” It is often used to describe how someone becomes connected to a place such as a school, a business, or a community of worship in a nontraditional manner. The concept of ‘side door’ is not a new one. However, we often forget that some of our newest worshippers do not come in our front doors. New people come in through our side doors: doors of invitation, programs of care, and community outreach.
Charles Arn and Kwasi Kena remind us in their book How to Open Your Church to Reach More People, that a side door is a church-sponsored program, group or activity by which a first time or returning visitor can comfortably engage in church life on a regular basis. Side door activities cover the spectrum of human experience thus providing opportunity wherein participants develop friendship and gain a deeper sense of being and belonging.
As we enter the fall programmatic year at Reformation, there are many wonderful ongoing side doors and new exciting side door actions taking place. This month this newsletter highlights many: a new book study, Christianity after Religion by Diane Butler Bass, Lunch Bunch fellowship, God’s Work, Our Hands day of service, “Luther and the Reformation” movie discussion, Rally Day, Backpack Blessing, the launch of fantastic concert series, and much, much more!
Let’s live abundantly our mission to invite all people, serve our neighbors, and build a living faith through both our side doors and front doors, to the glory of God!
Deacon Beth Barkhau