What can each of us do to make this Easter weekend another substantive, soul-stirring season of worship, evangelism, and transformation…all through the living Savior? Well pastors obviously needs to do their thing of prayer, study, being filled with the Spirit, and preaching the gospel. But what about the rest of us? How do we avoid being a passive part of where we serve a crucial and vital role in the incarnate worship, fellowship, and community that cannot fully happen without us? Truly as Shane Pruitt puts it, “A dying world needs a living Savior,” and we have a part in getting that message/reality out.

Here are a few thoughts shared recently by Josh Howerton that cannot be improved upon to help us each intentionally partner with our pastors to honor Jesus and let Jesus practically accomplish His mission this Easter weekend:

(You can read the original post if you prefer, but I am posted it on my blog primarily to help our church family-those on and off social-apply it this year.)

#1-Sit in the front middle of the room, WORSHIP PASSIONATELY, and respond to your pastor’s preaching.

10 people like that can change the atmosphere of a whole room, lift hearts heavenward.

#2-Look for people who seem new, WARMLY greet them, and ask if they wanna sit with you.

New people do not care as much about lights and sound systems. People would rather be LOVED than WOWED.

PRO TIP: Don’t ask “Are you new?”, ask “How long have you been at [church]?”

#3-As soon as you arrive, begin praying for the presence of God to fall on services.

Encounter > Argument. If someone argues you into faith, a better argument can get them out. What people need is an ENCOUNTER with the living God.

#4-Invite people. Studies show that 80% of Americans would say “yes” if invited by a friend to an Easter service.

It doesn’t have to be cringey, just shoot a text like this: “Hey man, our fam is headed to Lakepointe this weekend, and honestly it’s always so good for us and our kids. No pressure, but if y’all don’t have anyplace yet, y’all wanna sit with us?”

BONUS: We’ll love you even more if you if you silence your phone, go to the bathroom before (instead of during) the service, and wait until the end to leave instead of rushing out during the last song.

The pastor is expected to be up for/prepared for Easter. It’s everybody else following suit that markedly stands out and makes the difference. What of the above steps can you take to support and partner with the God-ordained spiritual leaders that God has placed in your life for this very moment? Circle them and make them an intentional priority this weekend to reach the people that you know and you impact.

As Will Dobbie succinctly put it, “You’ve been tasked with sound the call, not raising the dead. That’s God’s job.” The call sounds better and resonates more fully when it is not just the preacher’s message but the entire congregation’s anthem. It’s simple. If you know the living Savior personally, then you have a part in leading this Easter collaboratively. That’s what enabled the early church and every church since that get this truth to turn this despairing and dying world upside down with the conquer-death-hell-and-the-grave gospel.

Ac 2:32 “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we ALL are witnesses.”

Post shared here on Facebook on April 6, 2023.

Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash