I first ran across the term “Chreasters” a few years ago. It was in reference to persons who only seem to show up for church services at the seasons of Christmas and Easter -- thus “Chreasters.”
Here’s one pastor hoping to start a friendship with a few Chreasters this Advent season.
Now, is it sufficient to worship with God’s Family only once or twice a year? Of course not. Christ expects us to connect with a congregation and invest ourselves in the fellowship and ministry offered there. A local church isn’t like a restaurant that you occasionally patronize when you’re in the mood for its cuisine.
So, why do I have room in my heart for Chreasters -- and why should you? In an article for World magazine, Tony Woodlief said:
Chreasters come though it doesn’t fit their routine. They come, in spite of the discomfort in not belonging. They come because something draws them -- a faint sense of holiness evoked by the season, or because we are more inviting, or for the music, or maybe because the baby Christ [at Christmas] and the murdered Christ [at Easter] are images they can relate to best in their fear and need. They come, with their doubts and their poor attendance records, and somewhere, most importantly, the hope that it isn’t all just a myth, that the baby was and is Immanuel, God with us.
This holiday season I hope you’ll invite your Chreaster friends to Hillcrest. Invite them to our worship services on December 18 and 25 at 10am. Or invite them to our candlelight Christmas Eve service at 4 pm. There’s more information about our schedule at www.hillcrest.church.
Just like the Wise Men of old, Chreasters seek him. We’re here to help.
One more thing: When you bring people to Hillcrest this December, they can pick up their own free copy of the book John Parker and I wrote. It’s called Repeat the Sounding Joy: The Four Christmas Carols of Luke’s Gospel. Or you can buy copies for them as “stocking stuffers.” The books cost $3.99 at Amazon (https://amzn.to/3ijkZQm), or purchase them in the church office during the week and save shipping.
Tom
Tom Goodman serves as pastor at Hillcrest Church in Austin, Texas. His sermons are available on YouTube and the HillcrestToGo Podcast and you can find him on Facebook and Twitter. If someone forwarded this email newsletter to you, sign up here to receive Tom’s weekly devotional in your email inbox.