What’s the Difference?

My very first preaching professor told us to picture him sitting in the back row of our sanctuaries at the end of our sermons with an expression that asked, “So what?”

Someone else taught me that our sermons and classes and groups are not solely about the sharing of information but calls to action: “What should I do now?”

Another mentor shared with me that sometimes the best call to action is a call to be quiet, to listen to God, and to be grateful. Or, as the summation went, “Let God be God.”

In our tradition we have the practice of a separate part of worship that addresses these and more. It comes after the sermon. In a printed Order of Worship it’s even listed as a separate line item. We name it, in good Wesleyan simple and direct fashion, “An Invitation to Christian Discipleship.”

Because of Christ’s resurrection, “So what??

Because Christ is alive, “What should I do now?”

Because Christ is alive indeed, how might we “Let God be God”?

What does your “Invitation to Christian Discipleship” look like this fifth day of Easter?

I’d love to hear from you.