I am pumped up about every Sunday at OneLife Church. But every once in a while, a Sunday comes along that I am hopeful more than ever that people understand just how crucial it is that they be there, and not come alone.

This Sunday is one of those days!

We’ve been rolling through some incredible series in 2011. The most recent two have been lifestyle changers. “Unstoppable” challenged us all to share our stories and change the world. “WEiRD” has challenged us to be different, please God more than people, and focus on what He wants us to do more than what people want us to do. And it ends this Sunday with a bang.

The whole idea behind Christianity is weird. Something for nothing? That’s not normal. Unconditional love? Easier said than done. Giving me the opposite of what I deserve? Weird! And that’s exactly what we’ll be talking about this Sunday. It’s the kind of sermon that will remind Christians just how much we have to be thankful for, while leading unbelievers to the knowledge that God loves them right where they are but doesn’t want them to stay there! He wants them to be WEiRD with us!

So I know that it’s 4th of July weekend and the temptation is there to just skip church, go to the lake, sleep in, or head to the pool. But give God just ONE hour on Sunday and watch him rock your world with it. And don’t you dare come alone This is that kind of day that can change your friends, family, or neighbors in a way that will blow their mind! Do whatever it takes to get someone there with you and you’ll be playing a role in changing eternity once and for all.

So I look forward to seeing you on Sunday…because it’s one you just CAN’T miss!

Hanging out in the lobby after church is one of my favorite things to do. Sometimes it backfires – when that incredibly awkward conversation seems to never end and no one rescues me. But most of the time it’s great

And then every once-in-a-while I talk to someone and it reminds me why we do what we do.

That happened this past week. I noticed an older gentleman, probably close to 70, hanging around the lobby. He kept shooting glances my way while I was talking to a family so I wondered if he got drug there by his grandchildren and absolutely hated it. Or was he some kind of teetotaling former pastor that couldn’t believe I taught what the Bible actually says about alcohol. Then he came up to me. I gulped and braced for impact.

“I just want to thank you,” he said as he shook my hand and I breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ve been in churches my entire life and for the first time I heard the Bible in a way that I could actually understand it. For once I’ll be glad to come back to church next week.” At about that time his wife came up and joined us – a lady I have seen at our church many times in the past. And here’s the kicker: for several months now she’s been putting her husband down as a prayer request – that he would come to church with her and get back into a relationship with God.

Mission accomplished.

That reminded me of several things. First, that is the reason we teach the Bible for transformation not information. Big difference. Second, being “culturally relevant” doesn’t have an age limit. Sure, we are going to reach mostly the younger crowd. But God’s Word and worship of Him presented in a way that makes sense will reach far greater than our human goals and targets would suggest.

And that’s why we do what we do.