As you have read through my last few blog entries in "The Year of Illusions", you have no doubt noticed that I have an inquiring mind. I remember in school not wanting to ask or answer questions because I thought asking questions or not having the right answer would make me look stupid and that was a great fear for me! However, as I grow older, I realize that I now know actually know less than I thought I did just a few months ago... Of course, it could just be that I am losing my mind & perhaps that is still on the table...LOL!
I now realize that by asking questions, I learn and have an even greater opportunity to become more of who God created me to be. I want to continue to grow as a result of what I know and understand. Learning is truly life long and I believe a passion for learning brings more to life! With that in mind, let me share another thought that has bubbled to the surface in the last few weeks.
While I was doing some training and providing some samples to a promotional team a few weeks ago, Aubrey came across an article my dad wrote for a church that was preparing for the capital campaign. I remember Dad writing it, reading it over and over again making sure the message was clear, and then handing it off to me to send to the church. I remember the room we were in, what was going on around me, who else was there, every detail. Have you ever had that experience? Anyway, as I reread that article many years later, I was struck by how clear the message was, how important it was for that time and how much more relevant it is today.
The story went something like this:
Dad once walked into a church and was immediately informed that the church was one that was all about impacting the people around them. Their desire was to really make a difference in the community by spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. He was both interested and curious about the comment. He simply responded "That's great!" and asked "How much money do you spend on outreach and impacting the community?" When they heard the question, they were taken a-back. The reality was that only about 2% of their budget was spent on reaching the community!
In the article, Dad went on to say that if a church is truly interested in reaching a community for Christ, they not only had to have the people and the talent to do so, but they also needed to dedicate the financial resources! What kind of financial commitment does your church put directly into reaching people for Christ? Most churches assume an indirect commitment through dollars spent on other activities and programs. Yet, as we've discussed previously, where there's health, there's growth.
Just yesterday, Dad told me another story of a time when he first became the pastor of a particular church. He had identified one of the board members as a real leader and said, “Herb, I am going to reach out to people that need Christ and take Him to them. The board can deal with the people that are here.” Wow, I thought, that's quite a statement - but what struck me more was Herb's response. As he started to tear up, he said, “Pastor you go for it...that is what we are here for.” What a passion to reach people for Christ - from both men!
I’m fascinated by what is measured in the local church today: Sunday morning attendance, the number of people in small groups or other programs, what we contribute (or don't contribute) to our denomination or association or fellowship, how many children or youth actually attend church services, are we meeting our budgets year over year, etc. All may be good things to measure, but what if we found a way to measure the numbers of people we impact that do NOT come to church on a Sunday? Does that count?
But I am really struck by how more and more churches today focus on the struggle to maintain the status quo, rather than leading people through a spiritual journey that counts the cost, encourages sacrificial and faith giving and challenges individuals to pay the price - ALL to reach the lost...in reality, the call to commitment! Recently, we heard of one church that cut their staff - in Children's Ministries no less - so they could fix a roof. It's like a welfare mentality. Certainly not an exercise in leadership!
So let me pose a few questions for you to ponder!
What if we changed our perspective from only responding to people when they come to us and started going to them? What if we stopped advertising our service times and started advertising our desire (and ability) to help?
As someone that always tries to see people that need help, it frustrates me to no end when I see church signs or notes in church bulletins that say "If you are experiencing difficulties, call us." Most people won't - or rarely by the time they do, it is too late. Not that we don’t want to be there for people when they are hurting, but Christ’s mandate was for us to GO... to be with people, to be involved in their lives, to assist as things come up rather than as a last resort. I may be simple (and I'm not really asking for your opinion...LOL), but I wonder if we have built structures in the church to keep people out rather than going to where they are and loving them regardless of who they are.
Has the North American church lost the vision of who we are to be? Have we forgotten the cause of Christ? OR, are we ready to be truly committed to that cause and, if so, to do something practical like giving above and beyond to make a real difference?
