We want to grow. Where do we start?
What is the biggest difference between churches that are growing and those that aren’t? It is not the size of the budget or the number of members on the roster. Growing churches are full of people who invite their family and friends.

In 2019, on average, only 2% of people invited a friend to church. 
The factor separating churches that are growing from those that aren’t is that growing churches have a robust invite culture. Simply put, if we want to grow, we need to grow in our willingness and conviction to invite others to be a part of what God is doing through us at Zion.

The local church is the only organization in the world that exists for people beyond its walls. Jesus calls us to consider the needs of other people and invite them into a relationship with Him.

We do this at Zion not only in worship, but in ways that meet the needs of the local community and the neighborhood. These experiences - community classes, service opportunities, support groups - are often the entry point to deeper participation in the life of a church community.  

Consider the following questions:
  • When was the last time you invited someone to Zion for anything?
  • If it was recently, what happened when you asked? What happened when your friend or family member came to Zion?
  • If you haven’t recently invited someone, why not? What is holding you back?

If there is something holding you back, Pastor Potter and I would love to talk to you about it. If there's a tool you need that we're not providing, please let us know. We want to make it incredibly easy to invite someone new to Zion, and give you every reason to do so enthusiastically!

Serving with You,
Cantor Kurt R. Schmidt

(Thanks to church consultant Carey Nieuwhof and guest blogger Rich Birch for their post "5 Questions About Invitability and its Impact on Your Church," which served as the inspiration for this article.)
Wednesdays in Lent: Tonight on Facebook Live

Join us on Facebook Live as we study the way the Bible records "Journeys of 40" and end our day with prayer.

And don't forget to invite your family, friends, and neighbors!

Bible Study begins at 7:00 p.m.
Prayer at the End of the Day begins at 8:00 p.m.
Make Connections: Invite, Equip, Serve
Grief – the emotions we experience when we have a loss. We can grieve the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, dreams that never will materialize, loss of health, loss of job, loss of income, loss of hope. 

Come join us on the journey as we face loss, hold on to what is good, heal from the rest, and come into the present as a more whole person. The group will meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month, beginning this Thursday March 11th, from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. using a hybrid gathering approach (in person or on Zoom). To gather on Zoom:

Meeting ID: 951 9724 1789
Passcode: 3146

  • Direct Link: Click here
  • One Tap Mobile: +19292056099,,95197241789#,,,,*3146#
  • Dial-In (No Video): Call (929) 205-6099 or (301) 715-8592 and enter the Meeting ID and Passcode when prompted.
Join us next Thursday, March 18th, at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom and Facebook Live for the final installment in this inaugural "Learn & Grow 2021" series from Trustbridge: Attitude is Everything!

As we observe the one-year mark of the beginning of the pandemic and also look ahead to the future and a "new normal," join us as we explore adopting healthy attitudes in our life and work.

Meeting ID: 912 3028 7743
Passcode: 3146

  • Direct Link: Click here
  • One Tap Mobile: +19292056099,,91230287743#,,,,,,0#,,3146#
  • Dial-In (No Video): Call (929) 205-6099 or (301) 715-8592 and enter the Meeting ID and Passcode when prompted.

If you do not wish to join on Zoom, the presentation will be simulcast live on Facebook and archived to our website. We look forward to learning and growing together!

(Don't forget to invite a friend, family member, or neighbor.)
Our Prayer List needs a refresh! If you have submitted a name to us since the beginning of the year and the prayers for that person have been answered, please let Cantor Kurt Schmidt know, so that we can focus our prayers. The prayer list is found on the Pray page of our website.
This is the framework for our Holy Week schedule. Other opportunities, such as a "How to Make a Palm Cross" demonstration, are in the works. Stay tuned for updates to this important schedule!
Connect Virtually
Pastor David E. Potter
954-421-3146, option 1 (Church)
954-297-3665 (Cell)
Cantor Kurt R. Schmidt
954-421-3146, option 2 (Church)
954-913-2125 (Cell)