Breaking barriers – six

i’ve been thinking a lot about this “how-do-we-close-the-back-door?” question we’ve been beating around this week.  i’ve appreciated the comments.  they have stretched me.  here’s an observation before i go to bed tonight…

people will stay when they feel like they belong.  they won’t feel like they belong until people are willing to intentionally include them into their circles…into their lives.  honestly, one of the most frustrating things for me to watch every sunday is our people spending time with our people.  let me explain…and forgive me for making it personal!

sunday is the one day we have when new people show up.  i guarantee there are people you don’t know, who are at north point every sunday.  you know that’s a true statement.  but instead of meeting, greeting, welcoming, connecting and extending ourselves to new people, we spend all of our time with our friends, talking…laughing…joking…catching up…enjoying the fact that we belong to each other.  and we do.

you might say, “this is the only time i get to catch up with my friends.”  baloney.  you have six other days.  pick up the phone.  send an email.  invite them over for dinner.  go to a movie.  make a small group and invite some more of your friends.  for crying out loud…you already know each other.  it’s easy.  and don’t cop out by saying you don’t have time.  we make time for the things we want to do.  how long does it take to send an email?

you might say, “i’m just not good at being friendly with people i don’t know.”  well, join the club.  most people aren’t.  don’t be a wimp.  you weren’t good at a lot of things in your life until you practiced and got better at it.  so practice every sunday.  you’ll get better.  you might even like becoming a friendly person.

you might say, “it’s someone else’s job to welcome new people and help them belong.”  so really…just whose job is it and how do you know that?  i’ve got a feeling it’s your job and you’re not doing it.

or you might say, “i just really don’t care.”  

please don’t say that.

it’s time to slam the back door shut…

#friendship #newcomers