Last year our bold step to invite those far from God and Church to Disciples on Easter using a shocking statement of misconception, a step some even called a hate crime, stirred quite a response. Twelve months on I am proud of our commitment to the strategy and also a bit wiser after the lumps taken during its fifteen minutes of unintended fame.

This year our passion burns in equal measure to reach out in ways that connect  people far from God and church with the idea of engaging Christianity. While our passion, and to some degree our message remains the same, our plan of attack this year is quite different. If last year’s invite campaign was a big Hollywood action-adventure film, this year’s is more of a “Choose Your Own Adventure” novel.

The idea is simple really, 13 different images all seeking to make the statement that for those who are far from God and Church, their perceptions of church may not still be valid. The truth is, most often in life, PERCEPTION does not equal REALITY. These images will be provided digitally and we will encourage the people of Disciples to use only the images they feel communicate best to THEIR friends the message and tone THEY feel is appropriate and effective. The images can be used in all social media outlets as Wall Posts, Status Updates, even Profile Pictures. Many of the strongest images will also be made available as printed fliers and placed in the hands of  friends, family and establishments we frequent.

You know better than us WHY your friends stay away. So pick the images that communicate best and create your own tailor-made invite to get your friends and family to church this Easter Sunday. It’s a day that has been used by God to change lives for a long, long time. Whose life-change will you play a role in this year?

-Pastor Stu

P.S. Here’s a sneak peak. More to come…