As a pastor I have to frequently evaluate what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and how we’re doing it. The idea is to make sure we’re on track and that we’re being as effective as we possibly can be. But one thing I’ve realized over and over again is that we make life too hard. We have made the gospel far too difficult and have complicated the faith scenario immensely.

It’s really not that hard.

The book of Acts in the Bible cautions us from making the gospel too challenging. The problem is that we, in the church world, like rules and rituals. We like step by step programs. But the gospel isn’t a multi-step program. You can’t stair step your way through the gospel.

I recently heard a speaker talking about the church’s approach to ministry in a lot of areas. Some times we focus on the less important stuff at the expense of the most important stuff. Take a lost child for example…

If you have lost a child even for a few minutes, then you will know what I’m talking about. When you first realize your child is lost, you don’t plan what’s for supper or finish the last chapter of the book you’re reading. You don’t clean the kitchen or mow the lawn. When your child is missing, you drop everything and go find that child.

Why is the church not like that? Why do we not drop everything to go and do the one thing God tells us to do – make disciples? Jesus says that he came to seek and save the lost. If that’s Jesus’ focus then why do we fight over padded chairs, big or little cups, continuous lines or standing together in a row, little bits of water or a mini dunk tank?

Why do we major in the minors? Why do we focus on the stuff God really has nothing to say anything about?

You see I think what we’ve missed in our more modern church era is that the church is the only organization established for its non-members. The goal of the church is not to get more people in. The goal is to get its people out and into the community.

So here are a few quick, practical thoughts.

  • Keep gatherings small to allow people to connect better. This is a great time to use small groups and triads. Form neighborhood watch parties when you’re worshiping at home.
  • Resist the pull to make worship about us. Who are the people around you? What do they need? How has God uniquely equipped you to fulfill his great commission or reaching the lost? What resources do you have that can be used to better serve the people in your community?
  • Churched people can’t create experiences non-churched people desire. Make sure to talk to people who aren’t part of your community of faith. Consider how people take in information today. How do we create an experience that is engaging without messing with the message?

These are just a few things to consider when we’re establishing a plan for how to reach people with the truth of the Gospel. What thoughts do you have? What are you doing to reach people with the gospel? How can we share some of these resources to better impact our communities by working together instead of against each other?