This post was originally published on this site

Editor’s Note: This reflection was originally published on the OCF blog by a past contributor. We are re-sharing it as part of a semester-long discussion series because its message still speaks powerfully to the themes of friendship and community in Christ. While some details reflect the time in which it was written, the core ideas remain relevant and invite every student into meaningful discussion today.

Before we begin our discussion, let’s begin with 120 seconds of silence. It’s been a long day. Take this chance to come into the presence of God and his saints as a group. Sit still. Breathe slowly and deeply. Say the Jesus prayer.

Today I will address another student’s question: My friends invited me to their church and I went, but then I invited them to ours and they never came. How do I respond, and what do I do?

Well, I’m no expert on this, but my first response would be to pray for them. To pray for them and to love them is the best thing you can do. Don’t take it personally and don’t get offended. If you’re comfortable enough with them, you can gently ask them why they didn’t want to come. If that doesn’t seem like a good idea to you, you can ask them again a few weeks later if they want to attend a service with you. I find it’s better to invite people to a daily or Saturday Vespers than to Divine Liturgy – it’s shorter, they don’t have to wake up on a Sunday morning, etc. I’d recommend not starting by inviting them to Pascha, for example.

Another idea you could try is giving them some literature on the service or some hymns to listen to so they know what to expect. Coming in a little more prepared might make them feel better about entering the church. Ask them if they have any questions and do what you can to make them feel comfortable and welcome. Be patient, kind, and loving.

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Why do you think some friends hesitate to attend church?

  2. What can we do to make a first-time visitor feel at ease?

  3. How can we keep invitations genuine and loving rather than pressured?

  4. What’s one step you could take this month to invite someone?

The post An Open Door | Living in Community appeared first on Orthodox Christian Fellowship – OCF.