I met Kevin at Starbucks. Over the months we would have short conversations where I learned that Kevin is a Christian and Kevin learned that I was a pastor. I asked him one day if he would be willing to have lunch with me to discuss his thoughts on the state of the church. Kevin is in his late 20's and is married. I was really excited to hear his heart.
In our conversation Kevin stated his disillusionment with the church. He believes that the church is to self absorbed. He estimated that most churches spend 80% of their time, energy, and money on self sustaining activities. He believes the church should spend that 80% on the community.
As we talked we discussed how the church has developed an "attractional" model for doing ministry. Attractional means the church's primary question is, 'what can we do to get people to come to our church'? This makes the church think in terms of competition. We seek to discover ways that will get people to come to our church verses the other church in the city. To accomplish this our church must have a great children's program, or youth program, or (fill in the blank) program; and if ours is better than theirs all the better.
In short we see people as commodities, and churches compete for the right to own them.
That lead to his point what if the churches in America stopped thinking attractional and started thinking missional. What if churches stopped spending 80% of their resources to build or maintain themselves, but instead used that 80% to love their community. Could the church then have an impact on the issue of drug abuse? What would it look like if one church decided they would go where the drugs are and begin to love people. Not condemn them, but love them as Jesus would. What would it look like if christians would simply be willing to heal those who hurting by meeting them where they are.
What if we stopped seeing people as commodities to opportunities. Opportunities to love them as God loves them.
My conversation with Kevin was very encouraging. I think Kevin's vision for the church is worth heading. I think it would also be important to tell you that Kevin is a PK (preacher kid) and holds a MDiv. Kevin has spent a lot of time in the church during his life and he offers some very good insight. I hope you have enjoyed meeting Kevin as much as I have.
