James Earl Jones Started Where?

I found it surprising to learn this morning that James Earl Jones, the voice of Darth Vader and the Lion King started his acting career on "As the World Turns," a soap which concludes its air time sometime next week. It is a strange kind of image for me: Mr. Jones learning the lines of a soap. The same man who said "I am your father," while holding a light sabre memorized the sometimes corny lines of a daytime drama. But everyone needs to start somewhere. It is cool where he ended up.

And when I talk to people at St. Paul's and in different church settings, I hear stories of where they started out. And I hear stories of how they came to church. And for the most part, it was through an invitation, a friend, some already existing relationship. Yes, some "came out of the cold" by themselves, but most have come and stayed at places like St. Paul's because of a friendship that God had already established. And then they stayed because of the people they met and the openess of the congregation. My experience has been that most people stay during those first few weeks and months not because of the sermon, the music or the programs. They stay because of who they met at coffee hour, how they were greeted at the door, who shook their hand at the Peace. These are important connections we make with people who come to worship with us. And it all began with someone saying something quite ordinary: would you like to come to church with me on Sunday.

And in these conversations I have with people, that is what they remember. After the years pass, sure, they talk about the sermons and the programs. But invariably, they go back to that one invitation. That memory remains and continues to be formative for so many people.

So, do not be afraid to ask someone to church. Yes, I know it can be a little intimidating; it is something that we are not used to doing. But it is something that people will remember. It is something that we are going to have to get used to doing. It is that invitation that has changed the lives of so many. Maybe not changed the lives of thousands at St. Paul's (we do not have thousands), but one heart at a time. The people I know in our parish family have not risen to the stardom we see in the life of James Earl Jones. But they are part of a family, part of a community. They are learning to pray, they are hearing more and more about what it means to be a disciple, they are uncovering a richness of those inner connections that has little to do with me, but everything to do with God working through ordinary friendships that each of us already has.

So, look around. See what God has given you. See the people that God has already put in your life. And ask them this simple and amazing question: Would you like to come to church with me this Sunday?