A great question.  I was in the cathedral, stacking chairs with the doors open mid-week.  A friendly passerby had seen the doors open.  His parents married here.  He thinks he might’ve been baptised at St Michaels.  So he wandered in. 

‘How is the religion thing going?’   

I was able to tell him it’s great.  But we’d always welcome others to find out more. It’s great for a number of reasons. To share just two: 

First, The transforming truth of Easter.   We finished Luke on Easter Sunday.  The Disciples were caught up in worship of the risen Jesus & full of joy (Luke 24:52).  The reality of Christ’s death in our place & triumphing to give peace still transforms. With God in the centre of life – worshipping & praising Him – all the other parts of life are changed for the better. The collect (prayer) for the first Sunday after Easter captures it well & is worth using (even re-wording)  

Almighty Father, you have given your only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins and rise again for our justification: grant that we may put away the old leaven of corruption and wickedness, and always serve you in sincerity and truth; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen 

It’s a prayer that we’d share in Jesus’ work at Easter.  We’d die to our old ways that are passing, & live in true worship.   The life of great joy.  It’s worth praying that Easter would keep transforming our whole church family.  

Second, An openness to invitation.   So many of our services were well-attended.  Some overflowed.  As well as regulars & visiting believers – a large number of people for whom church is not normal &/or wouldn’t call themselves Christian.  It was a great reminder that people are open to an invitation.   It’s worth remember that this openness continues even after Easter.  Whether it’s regular Sunday church, or more specific opportunities like the Holiday Kids Club or our next Explore Jesus course – people are happy to be invited.  The man who asked me ‘how the religion thing was going’ wasn’t surprised that new people came.  He knew too that the troubles going on currently might make people curious about what God is doing.   As I invited him to join us one Sunday, he was open.  It might be a chance to make good on an invitation to church his cousin made over 40 years ago.    

Easter is finished for another year.  But the Risen Jesus keeps working.  Just as He said: ‘This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.’ (Luke 24:46-47)

In Him 

Mark Smith (Senior Minister)