It’d be pretty hard to find someone who would disagree that the world is constantly changing, and not necessarily for the better. “Things aren’t what they used to be, I’ll tell you that!” is a familiar cry among some.
So why do we continue to do church the same way we always have?
For many years in America, the church has operated under a “Come and See” model – as Ed Stetzer writes “evangelistic and attractional.” Is it effective? Stetzer says no, and I agree –
“for the past several centuries (over a millennium), the Western church has been operating primarily in an Evangelistic/Attractional mode reflective in the “church growth” movement and the Constantinian model (…church becoming the ‘state’ religion). This worked for the most part, but in this post-everything culture, it is not nearly as effective…[it] is ‘extraction’ by nature, meaning converts are brought out of their cultures and assimilated into a new culture. (Christian/church)”
In other words, taking people out of where they are and transmogrifying (it’s a real word, just ask Calvin and Hobbes) them into “shiny, happy, church people” doesn’t work anymore. So, what’s the solution?
Maybe it’s not “Come and See” after all…maybe it’s “Go and Tell.” That is the Great Commission – to “…go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matt 28:19). Maybe it’s not about the coolest building, hottest worship music, amazing programs, or most dynamic motivational speakers and it’s about introducing people to Jesus right where they are. This isn’t Evangelistic/Attractional – it is Missional/Incarnational. It’s intentionally getting involved in relationships in the community and loving people, helping people, and telling people about hope in the gospel. Ack! Really! But they might not think like I do, or know what church is all about, or maybe they are a little rough around the edges. Exactly.
What does that look like? That depends on your community and once you get involved you will see more clearly what needs are there and where the hope of the gospel can fall…but you won’t know unless you go…because I hate to state the obvious, but they aren’t coming to see anymore.
