I find myself limiting “church” quite a bit, by certain expectations I have of what church should be and do. I bring this up, only because it was brought to my attention by doing a Google search under “church outreach ideas.” I begin to see the same list over and over and over again. Is this what church is all about?? Are my expectations and pre-concieved notions Biblical? I think it’s time to evaluate.
First of all, I don’t think church should be an activity center. We’re not supposed to be simply another organization to keep people’s schedules full. The church should be the BODY of Christ….something living….growing….etc.
Church literally means, “a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly” It is also referred to as the “Bride of Christ.”
But what comes to my mind when I think of “church?”
- Rallies
- Campouts
- VBS
- Fellowship dinners
- Sunday school classes
- Door to door calling
- Food shelves
- Clothing stores
- Visitor Greeters
- Weekly communion
- Song service, communion, prayer, sermon (in that order!)
- Kid’s outreach events
- Free stuff – car washes, ice cream, balloons etc
Sad, that these “programs” are what come to my mind first. I know that church should be about
- worshipping God
- Grasping God’s word with a reality that can be lived out
- coming together in community and fellowship
- encouraging one another to grow
- sharing the same passion
- being led by the Holy Spirit
- being amazed by Who God is and what He has done for us
- being inspired to live that out daily
But honestly, that’s not what first jumps to my mind.
When I did the online search for “Church outreach ideas,” basically all sites have the same ideas (with a few excpetions), no matter how old the site is. These appear everywhere:
- Car washes
- VBS
- Homeless ministry
- Super bowl parties
- Sponsor a child – a school – someone in jail – etc
- Family movie night
- Halloween alternative
- Easter something
- Christmas play – or songs- or food handouts
- Church yard sale
- Raking, mowing, etc
- Lock ins
- Lock outs
- Prayer rooms, programs, nights, lists
And I ask myself….”Is this what church is really all about?” What are we supposed to be DOING anyway?!
What is our purpose? Our goal? Our calling?
Is my goal to “get more people in the church,” or “get more ‘church’ into people?”
I know reaching out to people is important. But it is so saddedning and maddening to me, to see that “church” has become so PREDICTABLE. What are we offereing more than any other “good deed organization?” Shouldn’t the church be striving to fill a need in people’s live more than fill up their schedule?! I know at one point, that these were effective programs, getting “churched” and “unchurched” people together to mingle. But with our lives so busy now, why would people want to add more? Are we really seeking their/our needs, in God’s way?
I know the theme is, use these ideas and ADD God into it so they get that need filled. But I’m wondering, are these programs really effective right now? Should we be asking ourselves if there is another way God can use us right now?
And so I see….I need more compassion for the people, not an effort to have a large congregation. I see that the most effective way of sharing God, is building reltionships, almost outside of church. I see that I need a lot of prayer. And I need a shift in my “program orientation” so that I’m not doing SO MUCH that I forget our highest calling.
“Jesus replied, ” All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples out of every nation; Baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you” Matthew 28:18-19
