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 will get them to change their mind? I’ll tell you why, we want it on our turf, we want to call the shots.
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. This is because we are human (and Americans), the moment something happens that is out of our control we run away, we hide in the familiar. That is why the church loves holding bake sales and pot luck dinners, we are in control and comfortable, nothing is unexpected. But if you throw the average church goer into the middle of Lower Waker Dr in Chicago, you’ll see panic. Heck I panicked the first time I went down there, the only thing that kept me together was the fact I was with friends.
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.
I don’t want to beat a dead horse here but I need to say it, we are called to GO. Paul is a perfect example of this. You read all throughout the book of Acts of Paul going into other peoples territory. He was never in control. The first thing he did in each city was visit the synagogue and talk with them. He would talk for days, months, even years. He was run out of towns by angry mobs, he met them on their turf no matter how hard or uncomfortable it was. He never sent out fliers for people to come to his place, he went to them.
Now that being said, outreach events have a time and place. Outreach events are great for those who are already looking into churches, who already have there mind in that direction. They will get something out of that. So, I am not saying never hold a pancake breakfast ever again, just be sure you are going as well.
I think I am going to conduct a little video survey and post it here. I think I will go and ask some non-Christians some questions about church and Christians, we will see if my thoughts here are true.
[...] Kent Shaffer wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptI 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. … [...]
Hey Nick,
i see your point of view exactly. I was involved in a non-Christian group and they too had events to attract Christians that may be looking for a different path, or others who are seekers. I never liked that. True, they never pushed their belief on others, they would talk about the benefits, and the “family” atmosphere, or there is no right way or wrong way to truth…etc. In reality they were subliminally trying to push their beliefs on others without actually doing it. Now as a Christian I still do not care for outreach events, nor does my church have those… thank you. I do believe in inviting someone to my church if they seem to have an interest. Kepp up the good work Nick, and congrats on becoming an Elder. Steven
Right, Bringing a non Christian to church for the reason of converting them, IMO, is wrong. I think it can be very intimidating for a non-Christian to even step foot into a church.
And thank you :)
Nick, I agree with your comments 100%.
It has never made sense to me when I am driving down the highway, why a church is advertising a spaghetti dinner! Do they actually think that someone is just going to drop in for a plate of pasta and risk gettting pounced on about whether they’ve been saved? That kind of stuff doesn’t sit well with people. What does seem to go over, in my opinion, is caring, compassion, kindness, listening-stuff like Jesus did.
I think you are spot on, most of the outreach events are designed to keep the members comfortable and well fed.
“most of the outreach events are designed to keep the members comfortable and well fed.”
That’s a great summery of it all, right on!
i cant imagine they wont be validated..
i just got a flyer the other day from a church and I just felt sad they’d spent the money on the flyer and not on something else… wondering if they care about me or my tithe…
p.s. i also like your design… simple is beautiful… (also, I have a similar dove like your logo as a tattoo on my left shoulder…)
… and make sure it’s a blueberry pancake breakfast. Cause blueberries make everything extra special!
I think you’re totally on the right track here Nick … outreaches aren’t all bad, but the scattergun approach isn’t really very effective. Being more selective and intentional and having time to really reach across to meet the new people and be present with them might bring Jesus into the community in a more real fashion.
You’re right. Part of it boils down to how we as Christians have forgotten how we are to be in the world and not of it.
Maybe a little more like the radical guy John the Baptizer - he certainly didn’t fit in.
Great post! You would think Jesus said we should stay where we are and wait for someone to come and ask about him.
Hey, thanks guys for your comments! Man it is good to know that there are others out there that agree! And that no one is taking this post the wrong way. Thanks again.
[...] June 24, 2008 Posted by illiniphil in Uncategorized. trackback I found an interesting blog {essential shift} from a layperson in a church in the Chicago area. Here is a big segment of it: If I had it my [...]
Hey Nick,
I like your thoughts man. As a fromer traveling salesman in the wood working industry my and my family’s entire livelihood depeneded me GOING into other people’s territory to find out what they needed and getting them what they needed. I am now a pastor and have brought that same mentality to the ministry. Our church is beginning to live with what we are calling “The Church Has Left The Building” experiment. We are going to where the people are and asking them about themselves and what they think about church and christians. We are not doing it to fill our seats, but rather to fill our minds and hearts with what our community needs. The bottom line is that even though most of our people live in this community and have their entire lives up to this point, they actually live in different community than everybody else, they live in the Church community and the rest of town doesn’t.
Thanks for you comments!
[...] 3.) Thought provoking post: Don’t Come To My Church. [...]
Nick,
I’m posting my agreement as well. Good thoughts.