A Church, the Unchurched Want to Be At!

1. Hayden 8-8-17

On October 9^th of this year, the city of Indianapolis is going to become host to the “Deep and Wide Tour” featuring pastor, teacher, and author, Andy Stanley and a gathering of other like-minded ministers. The theme of this conference is to help individual ministries to expand their reach into their communities and cities, drawing more unchurched people into our congregations. The theme is summed up in one sentence, “Create a Church, Unchurched People Love to Attend.” What a concept! Now I know that everyone in the world has different ideas of what church should be like, but I think I know what the leaders of this conference are trying to convey. We want church to be a place that people are drawn to, not a place they have to go to because of some sense of guilt or requirement. We want church to be a place they come to because it is irresistible!

So how do we make church irresistible? That is a good question and after I go to the conference, I plan on telling you exactly what I have learned. I am sure I will have a list of ideas to share. Part of the answer will certainly be to match the ministry style to the culture that the church resides in. That would include music styles, décor styles, and transforming the ministry atmosphere to something more relatable and relevant to multiple generations. In short, becoming real to the unchurched is key. Of course, those that are churched have to buy in to this concept for it to be effective!!

In 1 Corinthians 9:22 to read, “To the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some.” Paul made his ministry relatable and relevant to unbelievers for the sole purpose of reaching them. And in Matthew 7:28-29, Scripture says this, “And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, ²⁹ for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Here, Jesus is not concerned with doing things the way they have always been done by the Pharisees. He didn’t try to replicate the ministries of times past. He spoke to the lost in a way that they could relate to and was relevant to them and translated to Him being REAL with them. He spoke in such a way that they knew that He knew what He was talking about and why they should care. It might behoove us to follow these examples so that we also might reach the unchurched. We need to continue to be relatable, relevant and real more and more each day. Individually as well as a church body community, city and worldwide so that we might reach some!

Be blessed even more!!

Pastor Chris