SHARE:  
The Four Nudges That Motivate Us
by Dan Bracken, Communications Director
We host a giant egg hunt every year.

Have you ever wondered why?

What does the Easter Bunny have to do with Jesus?

It's a fair question. I've asked it myself. Truth be told, the effort our church pours into the egg hunt rivals that of Easter itself. If you stuffed any number of eggs this year...well, IYKYK.

Here are four nudges that motivate us to do an egg hunt each year:
1. We want kids. “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). By 2025, Generation Alpha (currently age 0-13) will number more than 2 billion – the largest generation in history. These kids are the most technologically infused demographic. They understand complex ideas and are able to do things that are well beyond their age. We're going to want them around. We have a lot to learn from them.
2. We want relationship, not entertainment. "When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd waiting for him, and He was moved with compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things" (Mark 6:34). It's exciting to have thousands of people gathered on our front lawns. Even if they come for free candy, simply gazing out among the crowd reminds us that there are LOTS of people who have struggles, questions, and longings...but no relationship with Jesus. Like Jesus, will we be moved with compassion? The families who visit aren't looking for Disney entertainment. They are looking for a safe place to belong. Our goal is to spark new relationships.
3. We want to bless with nothing in return. "...Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked" (Luke 6:27-36). What is the measurement of a successful egg hunt? What's the return on our investment? It might surprise you to learn that we haven't really defined those metrics. In an effort to be good stewards (shepherds), we collect names through registration, define next steps and calls to action and really hope to see new families back for worship on Easter. BUT – at its core the egg hunt is simply a gift.
4. We want shared ownership. "You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it" (1 Corinthians 12:27). The best gatherings we host are the ones that are too big to do alone. The egg hunt isn't possible without all of us working together to pull it off. There's a transfer of power...a psychology
of ownership that happens when the work of the church transitions from professional staff to the priesthood of all believers. It's a bridge to our
future together.

And now there's only one thing left to do: Invite!

ginghamsburg.org/egghunt
ginghamsburg.org/easter
Dan Bracken
Communications Director
By the Numbers...
  • Offering this week was $31,519 from 209 individual or family givers. 
  • Individuals who participated in worship at all locations:
  • In-person adults: 562 
  • Online (YouTube & ginghamsburg.church): 390

Online worship is also available on Facebook.