Easter Hangover | Alive Ministries

Satisfied?

Satisfy- to fulfill the minimum expectations, needs, or demands It's hard not to have an Easter hangover. I get caught up in our Lenten studies, engaged in the events of the Passion of Christ leading to a special sunrise on Easter morning. So it's probably not surprising that I find myself on Monday morning scratching my head and wondering what difference Easter has had or will have on spiritual life of the faithful in the days and weeks ahead without some troubling questions coming to the surface. I suspect most church's see a dramatic increase in attendance during what is generally viewed as THE most crucial day in our faith and our message. But when I look across the crowded sanctuary on Easter, I see faces I hardly know and I can't help wondering if there a way to touch their lives in a deeper more meaningful way? We call these spiritual transients CEOs, those who attend at Christmas and Easter Only. A little humorous I suppose, but it gets the point across. Every year I wrestle with the same question 'Why do some pop up like crocuses for Easter, only to wither and fade in June-August?' Is this a subtle way of checking-in with God so God doesn't lose track of them (or smite them like the cartoon above)? Is it satisfying some minimum religious requirement necessary to live the rest of the year as we see fit, like making an insurance payment for a policy you hope you never have to use? Perhaps Easter's message has become so familiar and we've become so prosperous, that being a disciple just doesn't sound cool, sexy or trendy. Our deepest needs for meaning and significance are being satisfied in the market place. Is this simply the living example of Jesus' parable about the sower and the seed?

“The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it." Matthew 13:22 (Message)

In order to retain Easter visitors, I believe there are three Actions necessary to keep, grow and multiply mature disciples. (1) INSPIRATION: The Action of the Holy Spirit John Wesley spent many years in ministry and mission work before his heart "was strangely warmed" at his Aldersgate bible study when someone read Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans. This movement of the Holy Spirit transformed his life and his faith. God moves in the most unexpected and surprising ways and is the driving force for our pursuit and perseverance as disciples. It is the Holy Spirit that transformed uneducated fishermen into saints, opened the eyes of Saul of Tarsus, and empowered the early church. Nobody wants to attend another meeting, but everyone wants to experience the holiness of God. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. (2) INTENTIONAL: The Action of a Hungry Heart Augustine said we are restless until we rest in thee, Pascal said we have a God-shaped vacuum in our heart, and CS Lewis said there is " a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy." We all have this desire, but how do we deal with it. The religious people in Jesus' day had become entrenched in their habits and rituals and lost the desire for God. I can't tell you how many people I've heard say "we just got out of the habit" or "this is our only day for family time." When we relegate our spiritual life to Sunday morning only, its easy to let it slide and not feel the difference. Jesus describes this condition as 'hard-hearted.'

For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ Matthew 13:15

(3) INCLUSIVE: The Action of a Warm Incubator Rick Warren in "A Purpose Driven Church said, "when God has a bunch of baby believers he wants to deliver, he looks for the warmest incubator church he can find." Relationships are the glue that holds a church together. Friendships are the key to retaining members. A friend once told me of a survey he took in a church. When he asked, 'Why did you join this church?' - 93% of the members said, 'I joined because of the pastor.' He then asked, 'What if the pastor leaves? Will you leave?' 93% said 'No.' When he asked why they wouldn’t leave, the response was 'Because I have friends here!' Do you notice the shift in allegiance? This is normal and healthy.... Think relationally! When people disconnect, is it because they couldn't put down roots even if they wanted to? Do we have a mission and vision that is compelling, contagious and makes people want to say "how could I not get involved?" These are the questions I've been wrestling with regularly and when I see people only sparingly, I struggle again with the easy answers. Do we have a story that elevates the meaning of life above our consumer culture, do we have a compelling mission that inspires the heart and challenges the mind and do we have a community that lives love and nurture one another into spiritual maturity? We have a Compelling Mission: "Make Disciples who go out and Make a Difference" How are we doing? Check out these mission stories. We have a Clear Method: "Present a clear and compelling roadmap for restless believes to experience deeper intimacy with Christ in which they experience personal fulfillment and become mature disciple, life mentors, servant leaders and disciple-makers." “If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.” Exodus 33:13 How are we doing? Check out this article on FUMC's Outreach Ministry printed in Interpreter Magazine. We had Larry Homitsky do a Hospitality seminar here at FUMC in August 2008 and in this article he's talking about us! We have a Challenging Message: "With God's help, We will so order our lives after the example of Christ..." How are we doing? (Check out these messages to learn more)

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