The Greater Akron Section A/G

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 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.

So what do you think? I must confess, I share a few of the same sentiments in regards to our historical attempts at winning the lost.  Don’t get me wrong…I believe in the ministry of the church and I have seen a number of people make decisions for Christ in the church.  But, I find myself growing more and more ‘antsy’ when it comes to reaching the lost.  We need to figure out how to do it better.  I am a little tired of church growth without seeing the lost won for Jesus.

Your thoughts…