Reaching the Unchurched through church services
Weird church?
This new monthly column, written with the help of RUN (they were at our 2007 Leaders’ Conference), is designed to provoke us to think about what we are doing, and how God might want to reshape us for his mission! You won’t agree with everything – but please be provoked!
A few years ago a woman walked off the streets into one of our guest services and took a seat at the front. Afterwards she was telling a team member how much she enjoyed it and then asked, "By the way, what is this place?" "Well it’s a church," came the reply. "Oh no it’s not!" she said. "I’ve been to a church once and believe me it’s nothing like this."
She was one of the millions who are not only disconnected and disengaged with church but whose stereotypical view of what goes on there has long since formed the opinion that this is not for me.
So how can we be sure that when someone does ‘take the plunge’ and attend a guest event or indeed any service they will not be put off for life? It’s a big subject but allow to me share a few observations.
Don’t be weird
Why is it that Christians often become strange when they get together and yet can be quite ordinary the rest of the time? The way we talk, dress and act can make visitors deeply concerned about what is going to be done to them and creates a major barrier before the issue of faith even gets chance to be considered. Look at Jesus, he was the most normal person you could meet – he spoke about ordinary things, laughed and cried and yet some amazing things happened around him. People were drawn to him rather than repelled from him.
Get a checkup
To keep on track why not ask a non-church person to sit in on a guest event and make a list of all the things that they find difficult or can’t understand – I guarantee the results will be illuminating! Taking time to explain why we do what we do is a major key to helping people feel welcome. Check out some of the words that we ask people to sing or the terminology we use and ask ‘how can we do this better?’
Maintain integrity
We don’t have to abandon who we are, rather we need to find ways to let our distinctives be an asset not a hindrance. Focus on the things we are good at and strive for excellence in all we do – people’s expectation of church is generally so low that they are truly surprised when they see us aiming for the best.
At the end of the day
The defining question has got to be who are we doing this for? If it’s really all about me then what I like and what I want has to be the priority. If however we truly want to reach those who are yet to believe then their needs must take precedence. This is not about compromise or abandoning values and beliefs, it’s about loving people enough to say ‘whatever it takes’. At the end of the day of course it’s actually all about Him and He’s already demonstrated how He feels about those who are seeking Him.
An article from June 2007 Senior Leader magazine
www.run.org.uk in partnership with www.saltlight.org/europe