Circles

I am an introvert by nature. That surprises some people, but it's true. (Introversion has nothing to do with being unfriendly or antisocial. It has to do with how you get your energy. Extroverts are "charged up" by hanging out with lots of people; introverts are drained by being with lots of people.) Meeting new people takes a lot of energy out of me. It's part of why, for me and millions of other introverted pastors in the world, Sunday is most exhausting day of the week.

My natural inclination is to stay with those I know, to just talk to those I am already comfortable with. That takes a lot less energy than going outside my "boundaries" and striking up a conversation with someone new. And yet, Jesus constantly reminds me that the kingdom grows not by huddling together but by opening the circle of conversation and inviting new people in. Only as they get to know you and me will they get to know the Jesus who lives in you and me.

My point: we tend to "circle up" when we are in church and chat with our friends, some of whom we just saw the day before, some of whom we maybe haven't seen since last Sunday. But either way, we tend to focus on those we know. Rainer calls it the "holy huddle." We circle up and the message is clear: there is no room for anyone else. You're not welcome here. What does a guest think when they enter a worship space only to see a collection of circles? Two things: one, there probably isn't room for me here and two, they aren't even looking to see if I'm coming in.

When we're in circles chatting on Sunday mornings, we're focused inwardly. It doesn't matter how big the circle might be, we're still inward-focused. In our body language, we're communicating something we probably don't intend to (hopefully don't intend to): "You're not welcome." Our circle is complete. We are full. And I'll be honest: a circle is safer, easier for someone like me. I prefer circles.

But I believe what we're called to is open lines...or half circles...or whatever open geometric shape you want to imagine. Sure, we might want to talk to someone we know, but on Sunday morning, our primary focus should be on the guest who is entering, uncertain, wondering if they are welcome, curious if there is a place for them. We should be on the lookout for the person who isn't sure they fit in, and we can't see them if we are in the huddle.

I heard a pastor several years ago talk about how sometimes all it takes to start someone's journey toward Jesus is to take the first step toward them. To walk across the room. To stick out a hand and introduce yourself. While none of those things come naturally to me (though they do to some of you, I'm sure), I'm willing to do it...for the sake of the Gospel. Walking across the room and breaking out of our circles—those are Gospel issues. When we do it, we're taking a chance that we just might get to, down the road perhaps, introduce someone to our Lord and Savior.

Come Sunday...will you huddle...or will you reach out?