There's a little church in Anderson that has a little bit of momentum...actually they have a ton of momentum! The story of NewSpring Church is an amazing one indeed. I mean, how does a self-proclaimed redneck, Clemson fan pastor start a church in Anderson, SC that 6 years into its existence reaches 6000 people per weekend?! Perry writes about why in his post today:
I said it Sunday–but I will say it again…one of THE main reasons our church is growing is because the people inside haven’t forgotten what it was like to be outside. The people who have received God’s grace are still aware of those who need God’s grace. The people inside are NOT content with playing Christian games…but rather are bothered by the fact that there are people right here in this community that, if they died today, would spend eternity in hell…and that fact does not allow us to rest at night.
Any church that is serious about reaching people who do not go to church has to have outsider-focused insiders like Perry is talking about. It is so easy to turn inside and start worrying about things that do not help create environments for insiders to invite their outsider friends.
How do you keep the vision in front of you? Stay in relationship with outsiders! You don't have to pray for opportunities or relationships with outsiders - chances are, you work next to someone, work for someone, live next door to someone, play golf with someone, etc. who is unchurched. Get to know them. Be their friend. Become a trusted friend of theirs. When you do, everything changes.
Suddenly, you can't sleep at night. You pray differently. When you invite them to attend a worship environment with you and they come, you view everything differently. The color of the carpet doesn't matter anymore. What matters is that your friend connects with God in a relevant way.
Like Perry, I am convinced that one of the biggest reasons why churches are not growing is because insiders are not focused on outsiders and consequently, are not in relationship with outsiders. Every Sunday, more Catalyst insiders are inviting their outsider friends. It's so cool to read the emails and hear the stories of what it was like to have a friend with them on a Sunday. The day we run out of those stories is the day we need to close up and do something else.
Bottom line: In whom are you investing?
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