Party Planners

Over the years I have laughing referred to this time of year as the time when I begin my party ministry. As you can imagine, pastors get invited to a lot of parties during the Christmas season - Sunday School parties, denominational parties, parties for leadership boards, individual parties, staff parties, etc. In spite of the attack it makes on my waistline, it is a rewarding time. Being with the people of the church in times of fellowship and fun is wonderful! I think my record was attendance at four parties in one evening. As someone once said...it's a tough ministry, but someone has to do it.
Luke 15 tells us about a party that took place in the home of a dad whose son had just returned after spending far too long living a wild life. It also tells us about great rejoicing (parties?) by a shepherd who found his lost sheep and a housewife who found her lost coin. When we are told that there will be great rejoicing in Heaven when one sinner repents and begins to follow Jesus, it really shouldn't surprise us. There is certainly valid reason to celebrate when someone accepts God's forgiveness and changes the direction of his or her life.
Do you know what that tells us? That means that all of us really do have party ministries. We are party planners. No, we don't have to do the decorating or prepare the food. We just have to lead friends, relatives, neighbors and associates into a personal faith in Jesus Christ. Every time we do that, we cause a party to begin. The question we have to ask ourselves is: How many parties have I planned lately?