The other day I picked up a copy of the Christian Standard* and read an article entitled, “Reaching Unbelievers: How Effective Is Your Church?” by Kent R. Hunter. In it he shared some eye opening statistics. Research indicates that 50-60 percent of Americans describe themselves as “unchurched.” An additional 10-20 percent responded that they have a church but could not even name the church or their pastor (probably tells you something!). Hughes concludes, “Collectively, the unchurched and the functionally unchurched represent between 60 and 80 percent of your friends, relatives, neighbors, and people with whom you work or go to school. They are the majority of the population.”
What does this have to say about how the church ought to rethink ministry and its effectiveness? I think one thing is clear. The church is losing ground in its attempts to reach a lost world. Whether this is due to the fact that most churches are only reaching those who are already Christians or churched and are growing primarily by births of those within the church, or due to the fact that so many churches seem embroiled in their own little bubbles, fighting over hymns vs. choruses, jockeying for control over who gets to make certain decisions, or due to the fact that many churches are satisfied that outreach is someone else’s responsibility. Whatever the reason, it is clear the church in America has lost its passion for reaching the lost.
How is this going to change? I think first and foremost we need, collectively, to begin praying that God would give us a heart for those outside of Christ. Secondly, we need to pray that God open our eyes to those all around us who need to know Jesus loves them. Thirdly, we need to make sure we are aware as a church family of those guests in our midst on Sundays and Wednesdays and intentionally reach out to them, welcome them, and help them find what they are looking for. Lastly, we simply need to do it! As God makes you aware of someone in your sphere of influence who needs love, love them. As God makes you aware of someone in your sphere of influence who does not have a church home, invite them. In short, invest in the lives of those unchurched around you.
While some are especially gifted by God to evangelize (i.e., share the good news about Jesus with the lost), I believe we are all called to be part of the mission of reaching this world. In fact, it is clearly part of the BCC mission statement: “to introduce others to Jesus.” However, it is not enough for us to quote a mission statement or to pawn off the responsibility on someone else. We must ALL take up this calling to be “light” to a world lost in darkness. And when we do that, this place, this community will begin to light up with the love of Jesus. This area will begin to be transformed. Unwed pregnancies will decrease. Broken marriages and families will be restored. Those who have been abused will find healing and hope. And those who are lost will be found by the God of all creation who loved them enough to send His very own Son so that they could know Him.
How about we change this community together in this coming year? How about we lift this up to God, take seriously our responsibility to share Jesus with others, and watch and see what God does in 2010?
*Christian Standard is a weekly publication of the Christian church/churches of Christ. They are available free to you. Feel free to pick up a copy located on the table just outside the gym door or upstairs on the table outside the church office.
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