Halfway Through the Year

 

By Jeff Arnette     Can you believe we’re already halfway through the year? It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating New Years Eve and now, here we are, six months later. As we move into the second half of our year, I want to take a moment to reflect on where we’ve been and look ahead to where we’re going.     The first half of the year has been a journey for all of us. We’ve had our ups and downs, faced huge challenges, and celebrated victories. Through it all, we’ve grown together as a church family. Each Sunday, we gather to worship, learn, and support one another. It’s a beautiful thing to see how our faith community has strengthened and deepened.     But as we move forward, I want to challenge each of us to think about how we can share this journey with others. There are so many people in our lives—friends, family, coworkers—who might be looking for the very thing we’ve found here: a place to belong, a place to grow, and a place to find hope.     Inviting someone to church can feel daunting. We worry about being rejected or making things awkward. But I want to encourage you to see it as an act of love. When we invite someone to church, we’re not just inviting them to a building or a service; we’re inviting them to experience the love of God and the support of a community that cares.     Here are a few simple ways to extend that invitation: 1. Be Genuine: Share why church is important to you. Your personal story can be powerful and relatable. 2. Be Casual: Sometimes a simple, “Hey, want to join me for church this Sunday?” is all it takes. No need to overthink it. 3. Be Persistent: If they say no the first time, don’t be discouraged. Keep the invitation open and let them know they’re always welcome. 4. Be Supportive: Offer to go with them, sit with them, and introduce them to others. Sometimes, the fear of the unknown can be the biggest barrier.     As we journey through the rest of this year, let’s make it a priority to reach out and invite others to join us. There’s no better time than now to extend the love and grace we’ve found to those around us.     Let’s fill the second half of 2024 with new faces and new friends, all growing together in faith. Remember, it’s not about growing the numbers—it’s about growing the Kingdom and sharing the incredible gift of God’s love.

- Jeff Arnette preaches for the Central Haywood church of Christ, Clyde, NC.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://centralhaywoodcoc.com/