I have loved reading through the Gospels slowly every 30 days. It's uncovered some things I've never noticed before and it's reminded me of some things I have known for years, just haven't been practicing them. The other day I was reading Luke 14 and came across a passage that I remember hearing a lot in revivals in my early years of ministry. But it's a principle and practice that we must constantly reinforce with our church AND OURSELVES. I heard a long time ago that when you plant a church, go after the people NO ONE wants. That's what's happening in Luke 14. One word always gets me each time I read the passage-- COMPEL-- The master tells the servant to "COMPEL them to come in that my house may be filled." At first glance you may thing that to compel someone means to twist someone's arm or to drag them to a church service... but I think it's more than that. As pastors, church leaders and Christ followers, we must be compelling in several areas to those disconnected from God and the church. Ask yourself these questions:
- Are we compelling in our invitation? I've heard people almost apologize for inviting people to church. There's no sense of urgency in their invitation. Our invitation for people to come and see what God is doing in the lives of His people and in His church must trump any other thing competing for their attention and affection. We must be what Ken Blanchard calls "Raving Fans" of our church and what God is doing in our church.
- Are we compelling in our presentation? What are we inviting people to? If our website is compelling and claims we're the friendliest church in town--- do we deliver? Is everything we do done with excellence? Is what we are presenting compelling enough to get people to visit a second time? There's something called "The Broken Window Theory" that says if you let things go without fixing them, soon people will assume that no one cares. If we invite people into an environment where they think no one cares enough to pursue excellence... they will assume they won't care about me either. For us, we must continually press for excellence in what we do... even the details...especially the details.
- Are we compelling in our dedication? Another way to put it is "are we smoking what we're selling?" Is our life a true picture of what they can experience if they "come to the banquet" that we're compelling them to come to? To be compelling enough for someone who's disconnected from God and the church to listen to you and accept your invitation, you and I have to demonstrate real life change that's happening in us right now! How is God moving in your life now? How are you being formed more into the image of God today? How are you being transformed to be more like Jesus? When people see your life change and you and I point them to the church where that life change is taking place, then that's pretty compelling!
We have the most compelling story in the history of the universe. Jesus left heaven for earth to restore a broken relationship with God and to give us a full and meaningful life. How are you telling the story? I read that the one who tells the most compelling story controls the culture. We MUST be compelling so that others will see a true picture of Christ.
(*I know I'm talking purely from the context of an attractional model. I know it's not all about getting "butts in the seat". I'll be writing about being missional and externally focused soon.)
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