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Please… Don’t Come to My Church
Orginally published on Monday, June 16, 2008 at 8:02 AM
by Todd Rhoades
Nick had a great post over at Essential Shift last week. The first paragraph really grabbed my attention:
If I had it my way I would do away with outreach events. I would get rid of every event we hold at our church that is geared towards bringing non-Christians to our church. Now let me explain. Non-Christians are non-Christians for a reason, and they don’t come to church for a reason. 99% of everyone here in America has been to a church, has been invited to a church, or has been witnessed to, and there are still those who want nothing to do with the church. Why do we think that inviting them to a murder mystery night get them to change their mind? I’ll tell you why, we want it on our turf, we want to call the shots.
He continues:
Ok, let me rephrase my opening comment, I would get rid of them until we are doing our job by going to them first. We like being comfortable, we don’t like confrontations, and boy to do we hate not being in control.
Read Nick’s whole post here at Essential Shift...
Wow… I think he really nails it on the head. It seems that I’m seeing a growing trend of churches that are realizing that to be really effective, they need to go OUTSIDE the walls of the church.
What do you think?
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Hi... I'm Todd Rhoades. I'm a Christ-follower, husband, father and I love to connect leaders with other leaders. Hopefully you'll find something here at MMI you like and will return often. If you want, you can find out more about me or follow my every step on Twitter.
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Monday, June 16, 2008 at 9:05 AM
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Monday, June 16, 2008 at 9:32 AM
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Monday, June 16, 2008 at 9:34 AM
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Monday, June 16, 2008 at 1:59 PM
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Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Post Your Comments:I can just hear the naysayers now; “see, it’s just what we have been saying, church is a place for Christians, not non-Christians.” In case that is what some people read into this post, reading the whole post at Essential Shift you’ll realize that is not Nick’s point.
He also says:
[I think we have forgotten how important communication is. People don’t like to be talked at, they like to discuss, ask questions, and unfortunately we don’t give that type of atmosphere at the church. There is a preconceived notion among non-Christians that when they are at church they will be talked at. We don’t give them a whole lot of evidence the other way either. If we go to them, they are comfortable, they are in control. In that situation, they can ask questions and even leave if they want to.]
Nick is pointing out a human characteristic; we are relational, we like being with people and talking with people. I agree with him. If people aren’t seeking in some way, they’re unlikely to consider coming to church and sitting for an hour and be “taught.” This is why I like the idea of satellite discussion groups that meet offsite (in very unconventional places). Plus, I like the idea of having church having a safe “front door” place which is about exploring ideas, where agnostics and Mormons and Muslims can come for open discussion (not an apologetic forum where we invite people to point out the error of their views). Maybe with front door places where people discuss and explore, it would be months before someone finds their way to the worship service.
Wendi
The problem with outreach events is that it makes you think you only need to do outreach during those events. Our church is an outreach event, hopefully more and more people recognize that their entire lives are that event. Our people who follow Jesus are getting that, too! It’s a great thing!
Definitely disagree with 99% figure. Now that’s out of the way…
I would agree to seeing a trend of more churches going outside. What I also see is a movement of sorts that is opening eyes to the fact that the church is not the buildings. Therefore, “the church” cannot be and should not only be inside.
As He walked… so should the church. “Spiritual” talks should not wait unti times posted on a door or a website. God’s kindness and love should be on our tongues and through our hands and feet as we go through life’s moments.
I know that when acts of kindness are done through Him… and by Him and in Him… it makes individuals more open to asking questions and having a willing heart to listen when at others times they might want to run the other way if they think “The Book” is being thrown at them.
Austin and Travis (our two oldest sons) were gone most of last week. As they were sharing story after story with us.... one thing kept ringing.. as they were going and doing - individuals were asking. They were thanking them for coming and wanting to know when they could return.
It should not be our “job” to go and tell… It should be our pleasure.. our privilege… worship....
I believe that new churches grow like crazy partly because they don’t have turf yet. They *have* to cede ‘home field advantage’ to the community they want to reach.
Billy,
Thanks for sharing. Hope you are having a great day!
Camey
Some good thoughts. Another thought: sometimes churches keep us so busy, that we don’t have TIME to go out and be involved in our communities.
So many people demand a church provide them with a complete social life that we are insulated from CASUAL contact in clubs or neighborhoods (and limited to forced contacts with fellow workers, etc., who may or may not be interested, and with whom we may or may not have much in common).
Hey, thanks for the link man, and it is great to see that others are on my side here. I am having a real struggle with this right now because I grew up in a very conservative church. I grew up in a church that everyone was ok with being comfortable. Being comfortable is not what God has called us to be, in fact he said the complete opposite. Man, I am glad that I am at a church now that the pastor is having the same visions as I am.
Thanks guys!
Murder Mystery nights?! Wow! Haven’t been a part of one of those yet! I want you to meet Jesus; wanna come to a MURDER MYSTERY NIGHT?
And I think, that he really nails it on the head.
Yeah Boy, the nail was hit on the head there and he didn’t even hit his thumb.
Our church has been brainstorming in the same manner. We toyed with a new slogan of “Don’t Come To Our Church”.
We plan to get out into our community more, not preaching Christianity, but helping those who have needs, i.e., building projects, helping shut ins, holding outdoor free concerts (we have a kicking bank), participating in local charity events.
People are growing tired of being preached to, witnessed to, pleaded with to come to church, telling them how their lives can change if they would only accept Jesus. People will, however, change their minds if they see what others are doing as a group to help others, to give of their time and money in an unselfish way, expecting nothing in return. The proof is in how we as Christians walk with Christ and then, and only then, will they say “I want what you have”, I am so lonely and would love to be able to sing again, feel real friendship, etc.
Our church wants to reach the non Christian in a non traditional way.
When you preach to people they listen, but they also observe and if they see a Christian doing something they think is non Christian then you have lost them. We must live our lives as Jesus wants us to and people will then look at us and say “I want what you have”.
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