Picture from: http://www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/I went to a ministry seminar this afternoon on Church planting. We had a few guys from Church Army come in and share some things with us on how they have approached church planting in dark areas of the world. It was great to hear the wisdom from these guys. These guys were strongly encouraging going into the community to get to know people, not to evangelize straight up. They were pushing us to think about adopting a block, doing a community bbq, getting involved in local sporting teams, etc.
This is something I am trying to do at Hornsby. But it also raised some questions. Are we (ie. Sydney Anglicans, not specifying clergy) to focused on Church evangelism that we dont go out into the community to get to know people? Are we to focused on telling people the gospel (which is an awesome idea and great to do) and not loving people and getting to know people first?
This is all in the thought of getting to know people, caring for them, which leads to the gospel being shared and God willing accepted.
So what are we going to do? Are we going to invite our friends to another church event? Or are you going to take the Church to the community?
This is something I am trying to do at Hornsby. But it also raised some questions. Are we (ie. Sydney Anglicans, not specifying clergy) to focused on Church evangelism that we dont go out into the community to get to know people? Are we to focused on telling people the gospel (which is an awesome idea and great to do) and not loving people and getting to know people first?
This is all in the thought of getting to know people, caring for them, which leads to the gospel being shared and God willing accepted.
So what are we going to do? Are we going to invite our friends to another church event? Or are you going to take the Church to the community?
Posts
both. there's no need to set up an either/or.
ReplyDeletei think it's setting up a false dichotomy. don't get me wrong - i'm very familiar with the stuff that church army are doing - and i like it!! but i think there's a place for being attractional and doing large public meetings well and bringing friends along.
I agree, I am coming from seeing Church events being the only evangelism that the Church was involved in. It seemed no one would talk about the gospel, or were less willing to share their Christian views except through Church events. Also how many non Christians do our Church goers hang out with?
ReplyDeleteChurch does need to be attractive. Big problem for many churches is that their services are so boring, or lacking something that makes is welcoming and loving.
Can we fix this? I am still thinking through these things, like how much singing, what style of service, etc.
Love to hear your thoughts.