Friend Weekend Is September 11th

The last few weeks at Skyline have been to say the least incredible.  Excitement abounds as people begin to see vision become reality.  In the last month we have seen 5 more people come to Christ, we witnessed 9 people follow Christ in baptism, we averaged 186 in total attendance (which included the biggest "non-big-day" Sunday in Skyline's history at 213) and 54 children in our ARC children's ministry.  We have had over 20 new people serving in ministry and on top of that we celebrate 38 people who have expressed their desire to take part in our Honduras medical mission trip slated for September of 2012.  Great things are happening and I for one am pumped to be part of it.  I know that you are too.

On September 11th, we will have a very special Sunday called "Friend Weekend."  While we constantly encourage the people of Skyline to be inviters, this particular Sunday is a challenge for everyone to do it in one shot.  I have already put out the challenge to make it really tough on our children's workers (which they are pumped and ready for) as numerous new families grace the doors of O'Fallon Township High School, but let's not just stop there...let's test our first impressions team as we fill the auditorium as well.

On Friend Weekend, we will begin a special sermon series all about friendship, so it is the perfect opportunity to invest in those relationships who are closest to you and you might even make a few new friends in the process.  Below is a 6 point challenge for everyone who calls Skyline their church family.  Are you up to it?

1.)  Most importantly, PRAY!  Pray for the people you will invite to friend weekend.  Pray that God will soften their heart so they are open to your invitation.  Pray for those people who are your acquaintances at work, those people who you see at the gas station everyday, or those who are the counter workers at your favorite restaurant.  (You can and should invite them too).

2.) Don't become a sheep rustler!!!  Do not....I repeat, DO NOT invite your friends who already have a church home.  We are not in the business of finding found sheep.  It is for the lost sheep (those who do not have God in their life) that we exist for.  If you don't have any friends who do not go to church, it will help you to fulfill your mission in life to make some.

3.)  Arm yourself.  We have 5,000 invitation cards available that were designed specifically for this weekend.  Use them to invite your friends, co-workers, family, or anyone else you come into contact with.

4.)  Consider inviting your friends out to eat after church that weekend.  Who can pass up a free meal?  I know it is hard for me to pass one up, especially when it is with someone I care about.

5.)  Have courage.  Don't be afraid to share what God has done in your life through Skyline.  You don't have to break scripture down word for word, you are called to be a witness to what He has done for your life.

6.)  Be excited.  If you are motivated by what is happening at Skyline, don't hide it....Shout it to the rooftops.  Life transformation is happening all around us.  Share it, be part of it.

In addition to our invitation cards, we will also be posting a series of videos called "My Skyline Story" that you can use to invite your online social networks via facebook and twitter.  You can simply paste the link to each story into your status bar which will place the video on your wall for everyone in your friend's list to see.

Also, don't miss the many other opportunities that are just around the corner.  Connection Groups are just about ready to fire up for our final semester of 2011, we have many ministry opportunities on the weekend for you to be part of, and there is a door hanger outreach with 5,000 door hangers on September 24th.  

This is only the beginning of what God can do through Skyline Church.  Don't miss your chance to get in on the action as we spread the word of the best kept secret in O'Fallon, IL.