March 21st ,2010
The Lure of Palms
Are you among the “regular” church goers who have a reaction to the throngs who squeeze into our tiny church on Palm Sunday? And what might that reaction be?
(a) Annoyed
(b) Thrilled
(c) Puzzled
(d) Resigned
(e) Hopeful
My reaction? Intrigued. I’d love to have lots of one to one conversations with the people who come on this day but who don’t come during the rest of the year. I’d love to know what makes this day “tick” for them. (Some say it’s the “free giveaway” (palms) but that theory never made sense to me.)
Unfortunately because of the crowds, I don’t have the luxury of chatting with lots of folks that day...and before you know it, they’ll be packed in for Easter and then on their way for another year. Maybe you could ask for me. If you know someone who comes only on days like Palm Sunday, why not have a conversation with them? Here are some things to converse about...
• What do you like best about Palm Sunday?
• Why is it important for you to be at church on Palm Sunday?
• What are you looking for?
• People who go to church each week wonder why many people who come to church on Palm Sunday and Easter don’t come back during the rest of the year. What are your thoughts about this?
You might think of a few more things to talk about. If you get a chance to chat with folks, please e-mail me or write me a note to let me know what you discovered.
In the meantime, when someone is sitting in “your” seat on Palm Sunday or Easter, ask the question “What would Jesus do?” and then “offer up” having to stand, for those in the world who have greater problems. Here’s a helpful hint -- the masses in the school are less crowded than in the church, so you might try celebrating there this year.
