The weekend leadership and planning seminar touched numerous topics as the church leaders discussed the unique challenges of the local congregation. The church is like many other urban churches in that most of the members drive fairly long distances to attend worship and activities at the building. The result is predictable–with the exception of Sunday morning worship, attendance at activities at the building is generally low. The church has had some success by scheduling fellowship activities in the areas where members live.
As the leaders discussed local evangelism, the challenge became clearer. Should the church focus its evangelistic efforts in the area around the church building where few members live, or is there a way to reach out evangelistically in those areas where the members live and in those places where they live their daily lives? On the basis of Matthew 28:19-20 (as you are going, make disciples….), the conclusion was that evangelism must occur where the members live.
Out of the discussion came the contrast in today’s title: Is the church building a magnet or a springboard? The question cuts to the heart of what it means to become a missional church.
If the church building is seen as a magnet to attract people to Jesus, most or all of the church activities will occur at the building.
The alternative is to understand the church building as a springboard for entry into the community. The church gathers at a building, but the focus is not internal but external. The real work of the church occurs “out there” rather than “in here.”
The church building is a tool to be used according to the opportunities God provides. There will be activities at the building. Some of the activities at the building will seek to attract outsiders. But Christianity is not ultimately about a building; the church can exist without a building. A good understanding of our buildings is to see them as springboards that enable us to go forth as God’s ambassadors, taking his presence and power with us wherever we go.
As you are going, make disciples….