Have You Invited Anyone to The Gathering Lately? // M-Note 7.26.2025

Last weekend, I arrived at The Gathering’s McCausland site early to run through the worship. Afterwards, all the people serving at the 9am service gather in a circle to pray. We start by celebrating people who are serving for the first time and sharing where we have seen God this past week. That is when I heard this story:
 
David sings in the band at McCausland and recently moved to a new neighborhood. He and his spouse Brad have been busy meeting his neighbors and connecting with those that live around him. During the course of conversation, he mentioned that he sings in church. A neighbor was curious about that, and so David offered an invitation. Well, as it turns out, this is a close neighborhood. As soon as others heard about this invitation, they wondered if they could come, as well. Pretty soon, David and Brad had invited 8 or so people to come worship at The Gathering!
 
As David shared this, I thought to myself, “David has 8 friends coming. I better not screw this up!”
 
After worship, David eagerly introduced me to his friends and neighbors. We talked briefly, I thanked them for coming, and I invited them to come back. It is a simple story, one that plays out every Sunday with someone. But it is a powerful story – because it illustrates something really important. People come to church because someone they know and trust invites them.
 
It is powerful to see new people find a church that they are welcomed in. It is inspiring to see people change their lives as they experience Jesus’ love, welcome, challenge, healing, forgiveness, and call. I get to see the way that a healthy church can heal relationships, offer direction, create friendships, support struggling people, and connect people to a God that loves them. But, all of this starts with an invitation.
 
People do not know that a church like The Gatherings exists if someone doesn’t share it and invite them to check it out. So, today I am grateful for David and Brad. I am so honored that they have found The Gathering to be a meaningful and powerful church. I am grateful for all of you that create a community that is compelling for new people in St. Louis. I am especially grateful any time you step out and offer that invitation to someone else. It is a small act, but it can lead to huge change in the lives of people.
 
There is no better week to invite a friend. I will be continuing our series Hot Ones: A Spicy Take on Faith by tackling a question I have gotten a lot more of recently, “Could God be a woman?” It is going to be interesting and an important message for where we are culturally right now. I hope you have a great weekend, and I will see you in church…hopefully with a friend!
 
Peace,
Matt