I'm spending a couple days with church leaders from across the country and Canada. Not a large group, but a committed group. The folks I'm hanging with are exploring two areas that many churched folks tend to find counter-intuitive. Yesterday we spent the day talking about First Impressions and the critical need to meet people where they are. The need to enter a conversation people are already having. The need to enter the brokenness, hopelessness, and longing within our friends in the community.
Today we're diving into Lasting Impressions, which is really all about the responsibility the church has to people (rather than for them). To help them take next steps toward Christ. To challenge them to join the work of the kingdom in the present culture where sex sells, the economy is broken, and families are hurting.
Yes, we're talking about being an attractional church that intentionally pays the price to reach people where they are... to draw them to check out the claims of the winsome Christ. AND, we're talking about being a missional church where people are invited to pick up their cross and follow Jesus in community, reaching those who don't know they matter to God.
I'm keeping the attractional / missional conversation simple here. But it's a challenging conversation. It's challenging work.
And I'm privileged to join with the people who call themselves Granger Community Church and other churches around the globe who still believe Jesus came for the sick, not those who are already well.
I'm really looking forward to the day with some new friends.
