At an evangelism meeting at our church last night, the subject of friendliness in the church and in the Walk to Emmaus came up. What makes a church friendly? What makes an Emmaus community friendly? Is it the closeness of the fellowship we enjoy? Is it our willingness to reach out to the stranger in our midst? Is it our readiness to introduce ourselves to people in the church or in the Emmaus community we don’t know? Is it our commitment to invite people to church? To Gatherings? To be part of our Reunion Group? To go on the Walk to Emmaus?
To experts in church hospitality, friendliness is all the above. But the one thing that stands out, the one thing that is unique, is the willingness to invite people to go to church or to go on the Emmaus Walk. Extending an invitation evidences friendliness, care, and agape-type love. I encourage members to meet new folks at the door, sit with them, and then take them out for lunch after church. I encourage Emmaus community members to extend an invitation to persons who have not been to Emmaus and volunteer to sponsor them.
This kind of invitation tells me a lot about an Emmaus community member. It tells me that their lives have been affected by the Walk the Emmaus for the cause of Christ. It tells me that what is precious and meaningful to them they want to share with people they care about. It tells me that, out of the overflow of the Spirit of Emmaus, they leak agape-type love.
Not too many months ago I saw the movie “National Treasure 2” with my wife Cheryl. The next night I saw the pre-quel “National Treasure” on video. Made Cheryl sit down with me for it, too! Then I took both of my grandsons to the movie and saw the video, too. I’ve recommended both movies to many. Why? I loved the movies. My point? I have invited many, many more to go on the Walk to Emmaus. Why? I love what God does in the lives of people on the Walk to Emmaus. It has the amazing capability of taking persons, wherever they are in their walk with God, another step or two or three on down the road with Christ.
I usually sit down with a couple with an application form in hand and tell them “the whole nine yards” about the Walk. Tell them everything! Takes about an hour to do it. You won’t be able do it justice. And, they can’t picture Candlelight, Dying Moments, the good food, the rich fellowship, the inspirational stories of those giving talks, the fun of skits, the moving music, the meaning of a letter from that special person.
God spoke to Abraham and said that he was blessed to be a blessing. You, too, have been blessed to be blessing. You can be a blessing to others by inviting them and sponsoring them on the next set of Walks. Did you know that you can sponsor more than 1 or 2 pilgrims? I sponsored 11 my first time. Not only was I blessed, but I became a blessing in the lives of 11 others.
I challenge you to get together a list of 5 or 6 couples who have not been on the Walk and start praying for them. Then, after a few days or week, prioritize your list and call for an appointment to talk with both husband and wife. I challenge you to real friendliness! The friendliness of an invitation! The friendliness of sponsorship!
De Colores,
Dan Patman
Cross Point Walk to Emmaus #1
Table of Mark
