By DR. KNOX HERNDON
Pastor

Here we are in another Lenten season in the Sundays before Easter in the year of our Lord 2000 in the new millennium.

This time will never come again. It is a rare opportunity never to be repeated. I invite 30-50 people a week to church. I say to people, “Sir or ma'am, are you in a good church?” If they respond with “yes, I go to so and so church,” I rejoice with them and probably know their pastor since I attend my pastors' denominational weekly luncheon, and I attend our weekly south side pastor's unity breakfast.

I have never been ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and continue to invite people to church in my daily activities whether I am getting a tire changed, shopping, or eating at Speedy Pig for lunch. As a former chaplain I would also do the same, and I realized that there were and are today several “excuse themes” that inevitably surface when I would and do invite people to church. They are listed here:

1. “I don't like organized religion.” My response to that is: “Well, come visit our church. We are so disorganized you'll love us!”

2. “I don't like all the hypocrites in the church.” My response to that is: “Great, neither did Jesus!”

3. “Sunday is a bad time for me, I have to work.” My response to that is: “If even God needed a break after working six days a week, maybe you do also.” Or: “Great, then maybe you would like to attend one of the other services or activities throughout the week.”

4. (I love this one.) “This Pastor made me mad 20 years ago and I've never been back since.” I like to respond with “Well, maybe he has died since then and someone else has taken his place.” Wow! How many times did Jesus say to forgive someone?

Get over it! This is a new Easter season. God is real. Go to one of our fine churches and start over again. You might just find what you're looking for.

The Rev. Dr. Knox Herndon is the pastor of His House Community Church (SBC), a substitute school teacher in the Fayette County school system, and a former Army chaplain. The church is currently meeting in the American Legion Log Cabin across from the fountain on the Square in Fayetteville. Prayer line 770-719-2365; e-mail Khern2365@aol.com.