Preferences - July 12, 2007

PREFERENCES

Do you have preferences?  I mean when you think about how the bed should be made, or how clothes should be folded, or how someone should drive, do you think to yourself, “I know a better way.” What about when it comes to church?  Do you think about our weekly Saturday morning gathering from the mindset of “If I were in charge things would be done differently… AND better!”

About 20 years ago the Christian Church in North America took a turn.  With leaders such as Bill Hybels (Willow Creek Church) and Rick Warren (Saddleback Church) leading the charge, mega-churches started growing all across the country.  Why did these churches grow?  Because the lay people and leaders asked themselves an important question: What could we do at our church that would be attractive to the unchurched?  This is a great question and we too must remain cognizant that there are visitors coming to our church, but there is a fundamental flaw in this line of thought. 

When you look at the life of Jesus, you find a guy who was out with the unchurched.  He rubbed shoulders with them on the daily basis.  I cannot recall one time where Jesus invited someone to the temple the following Sabbath.  Rather, He invited every individual into a transformational relationship.  Granted we are not Jesus so we don’t have the power to transform people, but we can introduce others to the greatest Transformer of all time! 

Jesus did more teaching, preaching and healing outside of the four walls in a temple.  Jesus wasn’t concerned with bringing people to church, rather bringing the church to the people.  What was the end result?  Ultimately the end result is that the church grew!  Could it be that if we get our minds off of being consumers at church and start looking for ways to bring the church to the people that we will not only experience continued spiritual renewal in our own lives, but that the church would grow as well?  I am eager to try Jesus’ method! 

Posted by matthew gamble on July 12, 2007 at 10:39 PM
Filed Under: | 0 Comments | 0 Trackbacks