Three Ways to Put More “E” into Easter

by Reba Collins and William Cowles

Better get crackin’. Easter is only three weeks away! It’s the “Big E” – the highest holy of holy days in the Christian faith. The one day other than Christmas that everyone comes out to sing “Hallelujah,” even if they don’t know why.

At Easter, people show up in your church whom you don’t know. GUARANTEED. They’re visiting relatives. They’re curious about that Jesus fellow. They’re reticent spouses. They’re new neighbors. They’re trying to please and impress a new love interest. Or, they’re so desperately hurting, lonely, broken, and lost that they have nowhere else to try to find peace than at – your church. And, they’re willing to risk it all on this one day. That’s a big responsibility for church people.

Do you care about them? Are you ready for them? Do you have more than a big choir and an Easter Egg hunt for them? Do you know that your main job on this day is to – Evangelize?

That’s right, we’re talking about the other “Big E” – evangelism. We know it’s your most dread topic, but don’t panic; this will be so easy you’ll be embarrassed you haven’t picked up on it before.

Here’s the trick to being a powerful evangelist – don’t act like a church! Act like Jesus.

Let your welcoming presence, your accepting attitude, and your loving behavior say it all for you. When you demonstrate your faith, you don’t have to declare it. When you live like Jesus, you don’t have to try to sell Jesus. As one sage recently phrased it, “I’d rather SEE a sermon than hear one.”

So, here are three simple “E”asy suggestions to help your members understand how they can put evangelism back into Easter – exactly where it belongs:

1.        Notice Who’s New – Jesus not only welcomed strangers who got close to him, he picked people out of the crowds. Easter visitors expect to be part of the “guest crowd,” but they also expect you to notice them. Have your peeps look for people they don’t know, and wish everyone a joyous Easter.

2.       Tell Stories – Jesus connected with people through stories they could understand and relate to in their time in history. Let your members know that not every guest knows and understands the Jesus stories told during Lent. Take special care with how you tell the Resurrection story on Easter. Think about, too, what story you’re going to tell the Sunday following Easter.   

3.       Celebrate – Jesus loved a good time with friends and strangers. Set the stage for your members and guests to laugh, sing, and hug their way through Easter. Praising God is a celebration – especially when you’re remembering the incredible gift of Jesus’ resurrection and His promise to you of new and everlasting life. As the song goes… “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.”

Evangelism is simply showing people how Jesus wants us to live, and that happens through a life of faith in Him, not just at Easter. When your visitors see happy, healthy, active people all over your church, they’re very likely to want to come back for another dose. 

It is infectious, and we pray you will spread some energy for evangelism this Easter. Create an epidemic that lasts all year – maybe even all the way to Christmas!