Connecting for the Holidays . . . and Beyond
December 21, 2008
Look around, friends. Here at West Broad, we do not have an attractive, modern church building. We do not have cutting edge music and technology. We do not have the programs promoted in many churches across our land. What do we have? A young adult minister from the University Church of Christ in Denver answers that question. He works to connect people to Christ and affirms that folks are attracted to a church not because of “ . . . the church’s outward gloss and sheen, but rather the Christ-centered relationships found within.” As such, he provides three “to do’s” that churches should observe as they work to connect people with Jesus. First, a church should avoid trends as it reaches out with the message of the cross. We all know that today’s fad is tomorrow’s fiasco. Secondly, a church should provide people with room to grow spiritually. We must move beyond stuffy lectures and fluff devotionals toward the creation of an informative, scripturally and theologically rich, fact-filled, relevant, free-flowing, discussion-based environment. Finally, a church must provide evidence of Christ’s love within and among the congregation. People are not (ultimately) attracted to the building, worship style, preaching, or size of the church; however, they are attracted to a family atmosphere of loving and caring relationships in Jesus. Our Lord said that the world would know we are his by the love we have for one another (Jn. 13:35). They will also want to be a part of that love (Acts 4:4). Here at West Broad, let us work by God’s grace to connect sinners to the Savior by continuing our demonstration of Christ’s love during this Holiday Season and beyond! — JLNJR (Resource: Christian Chronicle, 12/08, 29).
