This past weekend was an eye opener for me as I watched Calebb march out on the stage with the other officers to take the oath of office to become 2LT Calebb Proehl. A few months ago Calebb invited me to be part of his ceremony at graduation by giving him his first salute. An Army tradition is to give the enlisted man who gives you the first salute a silver dollar as respect to those enlisted men who serve. I cannot tell how great it made me feel to get the invitation to be included in his big day.
As we drove home it got me thinking about the power of being invited. It first made me feel a part of the ceremony not just an observer; secondly it made me feel that I was important. Thirdly it made me feel comfortable when I showed up to do the salute. On the other hand not being included can make us feel insecure, left out as if I do not have the code word to get in the party.
As the church grows we need to be intentional about the invitation to others to be a part of Cornerstone. A phone call, an invitation to dinner, or even extra effort to show you care will help others to be feel included. The power of the invite is that we take the time to include others outside of the doors to the Church.
