Christians, the unchurched, and the monastery mindset

As a pastor I am called to guide, feed, protect, and care for God's people. I actually enjoy this aspect of ministry; it is a privilege to be a part of the major events in people's lives. I am there for births, graduations, weddings, funerals, and all of the highs and lows in between. I am literally a part of a very large family at my local church, and it is no different for any Christian who is part of this institution we know as the "church". However, we as Christians are called to share our faith and bring others into this close-knit family group. Our relationship with God through Christ is not something we are to keep to ourselves; our heart's desire should be to see others come to know God and find their place in this family.

It seems to me that we grow comfortable in our local assembly; we get to know one another, and as we do we learn to celebrate our strengths and tolerate our weaknesses. We enjoy sharing life together. My fear is that we actually become closed off to those outside our family we call the local church. I was recently re-reading a book by Thom S. Rainer entitled the Unchurched Next Door. Rainer and his staff do a lot of surveys that are mostly centered on issues of faith, and his books are insightful. One thing they found while researching for this book was that the vast majority of those who do not attend church are actually open to the idea of going to church. In fact, a full 82% said that they would likely attend if they were invited. Over 8 out of 10 people that we know who do not go to church would likely attend if we would only invite them! The sad part is that only 21% of active church goers invite anyone to church in any given year, and only 2% of all church goers invite someone unchurched.

All of this brings me to consider this question: do we as Christians actively pursue relationships with those outside of the church, or do we succumb to a monastery mindset? Are we scared to get involved on an interpersonal level with those outside of the faith? Do we enjoy our Christian fellowship so much that we become closed off to those we are called to reach for Jesus? Could it be that we are not scared of our non-Christians neighbors and co-workers but just too busy for them? Maybe we assume that they are not interested in our faith and what God has done in our lives....I encourage you to consider this and to ask yourself if there is someone already in close proximity to you that might be one you could simply "invite."

joy and pain-my first 3 months in a new church

Alright, it's been over 90 days now. As I try to describe my first several months in a new pastorate I can only think of the title to a hit song that was popular during my college days by an artist that went by Rob Base; anyway, Joy and Pain was a catchy ditty.

Joy:

• the opportunity to fulfill my calling as a pastor in Christ's church. Having served as an associate for several years I was and still am excited about the opportunity.
• the opportunity to preach the Word of God every week. Again, I had always done a lot of teaching, but it is not the same as having the responsibility/opportunity of addressing the church each week in a corporate setting.
• the opportunity to meet, know and love new people.
• being there when the light bulb goes on in someone's head as they understand the Word of God and how it applies to their life through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
• watching God's people come together for a common cause or opportunity to serve others.
• having the opportunity to lead someone to Christ or be part of a Christian's life who rededicates himself to the Lord.
• watching someone in the church anonymously meet the need of another.
• noticing that each week more people are taking notes and bringing their Bible to church.

Pain:

• the reality that Christians can be self-centered and full of pride (myself included at times) as I watch them gossip and tear each other down
• presiding over a congregation that seems to have skipped a generation
• watching a saint suffer
• seeing God's people get caught up in issues that are not of eternal value and lose focus on what is important
• Realizing that my own lack of discipline, indiscretions, and mistakes will not only negatively impact me and my family but many families
• the reality that there are many all around us who are lost and are not being reached with the Good News of Jesus Christ

Well, these thoughts are not comprehensive but are the ones that came to my mind the quickest. No matter what the circumstances I know this: the church is Christ's; He suffered and died for it. I am only His servant, and I don't serve in my own strength.