Back in early June, I preached a message called "The Mustard Seed Conspiracy." In that message I said, "What if --- everyone here brought two new people to Joyful Healer this year and they stayed?" I dared you to engage in this kind of radical hospitality. We tend to be pretty bashful about inviting people to our faith community. We don't want to be obnoxious or misunderstood. We don't want to appear like those "other" Christians. Or maybe you are not even sure about this "Christian" thing -- but you know you love the Joyful Healer community and find it to be loving and non-judgmental. Maybe you feel inspired by the music, the message, the great feast and you feel connected to the Source of all that is --- by being apart of this.
I dare you to share this with a friend, family member, work colleague, or neighbor. You know, there are people out there who are not sure what they believe but they are sure they don't believe the traditional Christian stuff. I think we have a place for them here. There are people who are pretty sure that Church is non-sense and full of gay hating bigots. I think they might be excited to find that this is not the case here. I think they would find spiritually open people who share many of their questions and concerns and are allowed a fair amount of agnosticism. I think that they might find a community that is full of love and acceptance. I think they might like to find a place that loves this crazy Rabbi Jesus, his radical love and teachings --- and is not all that interested in "playing church."
So -- I dare you to take the challenge. Who might you invite to a Worship Celebration or some other Joyful Healer event? Bring 2!
