Transform through teaching invitation
The practice of invitation is often seen as getting bums on seats, but I would say that it helps transform a congregation a lady teacher had been teaching for many years and was asked why she taught. She later wrote some things down and she said:
(A poem by Glennice Harmon)
They ask me why I teach
And I reply, “Where could I find more splendid company?”
There sits a statesman,Strong, unbiased, wise,
Another later Webster Silver-tongued.
And there a doctor Whose quick, steady hand
Can mend a bone or stem the lifeblood’s flow.
A builder sits beside him —
Upward rise the arches of that church he builds wherein
That minister will speak the word of God,
And lead a stumbling soul to touch the Christ.
And all about A lesser gathering
Of farmers, merchants, teachers,
Laborers, men Who work and vote and build
And plan and pray into a great tomorrow.
And, I say, “I may not see the church,
Or hear the word, Or eat the food their hands will grow.”
And yet — I may. And later I may say,
“I knew the lad, and he was strong,
Or weak, or kind, or proud Or bold or gay.
I knew him once, But then he was a boy.”
They ask my why I teach and I reply,
“Where could I find more splendid company?”