Witness

Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash

Most of us witness regularly, without even being aware that’s what we’re doing. We tell people about the good restaurant where we ate, the good movie we saw, the good book we read, or the fun new show on Netflix. We do this without being told we should do this. It’s natural.

After the resurrection, Jesus told his disciples they were his witnesses in their own city, in the surrounding regions, and throughout the world (Acts 1: 8). This is not difficult. Like telling a friend about the good food you ate at a restaurant, it’s simple to tell a friend about Salem and invite them. We share our experiences of food and stories quite naturally. That’s what Jesus wants us to do, although with something vastly more important. It’s so important that it’s one of the habits we promise to practice as members: sharing Jesus with others.

It’s importance doesn’t reflect the need for Salem to grow larger. Of course that is important. Most United Methodist congregations are declining, and if we don’t grow, we will decline quickly. And the fact is, we’re already declining. Our average attendance has dropped from 210 to 198 in three years. And while we had some unfavorable weather in February, so far this year our average attendance is alarmingly only 175. It is not an exaggeration to say that if we continue that trend, Salem will not be a viable congregation many more years. Still, congregations have a life cycle. They live and die. So wanting Salem to grow isn’t the reason we witness.

We witness because we are the people who share Jesus with others. We are the people who give others a glimpse of the abundant life that’s possible. We are the people who spread the news that the creator of the world came to be one of us in Jesus, conquered death, and offers us the completeness and wholeness of life, peace, health, well-being, joy, beauty, justice, friendship, and salvation. That’s not just about getting people into heaven after they die; it’s about getting heaven into people now. It’s sharing the abundant life that Jesus offers.

And while it’s important for all of us to be ready to tell others about Jesus, the first step is to invite others to church. It’s one of the simplest yet most effective ways to witness. Just tell your friends about Salem and invite them the same way you’d tell them about a good meal you had and invite them to go to the restaurant with you. Be willing to at least meet them in the parking lot or at the door. Ask them to have dinner afterwards.

Share your experience of Salem. How did you become part of the congregation? What’s your impression of worship, small groups, serving? What relationships have you made? What’s worth telling others about? What has made a difference in your life?

Use our digital doors. If you’re on Facebook and you were touched by a sermon, share it online with others. That’s about as easy as it gets. Share our websites, salemchurchcr.com and salemchurch.life. These are the front doors for almost all new people now.

I know some will say they don’t have any friends who aren’t already a part of a church. If that’s the case, then it’s time to meet some new people and make some new friends. The Cedar Rapids metropolitan area consists of three counties and includes more than 250,000 people. The majority of those persons are not part of a church. 

Jesus tells us to go and sends us out beyond home and family, out along the highways and byways, out beyond our comfort zone. Will you walk across the room or across the street? Will you pick up the phone or send a text? Will you pray, connect with others, invite them, and offer them a chance to meet Jesus? Everyone is welcome.