5 Perspectives We Need to Change
We’ve come to accept what happens at church as normal. It’s what most churches do, and what most attendees expect. Yet we’ll do well to consider our church practices and contrast them with a more critical perspective of church priorities.
Here are five considerations of present realities compared to more God-honoring pursuits.
1. Converts vs Disciples
Most churches celebrate each baptism, professed member, or salvation experience. They count the number of attendees and track the number of members. These are all good metrics to count, but they’re just the starting point.
Changed lives matter more. We need to move from the church practice of making converts to a church priority of making disciples (Matthew 28:19).
2. Consumers vs Missionaries
Too many people attend church with the perspective of what church will do for them. They approach church as consumers. They look for the most stirring preaching, inspiring music, or impressive programs.
When they find that church, they’ll go there—until a better church offers them something better. Then they’ll switch. They’re church shoppers and church hoppers.
Instead of the church practice of catering to consumers, we should adopt a church priority of making missionaries (Mark 16:15-16). Seating capacity isn’t nearly as important as sending capacity. It’s not about numbers but about relationships.
3. Marketing vs Attraction
This consumeristic mindset produces the church practice of marketing. They market their services, programs, and groups to build an audience of shoppers who seek the best value for their investment of time and highest return on their donations.
The vision of being seeker sensitive falls into this perspective. Though churches are wise to cater to those on the outside to bring them in, they need to focus on substance.
They need to focus on the church practice of attraction, of drawing people in through their singular focus on serving Jesus (consider Mark 1:22).
4. Inward vs Outward
The resulting church practice at many congregations produces an inward focus. Members expect their church to serve them and meet their needs. This is short sighted, and it is wrong.
The better goal is pursuing a church priority that focuses outward, seeking to serve others and bring them into a relationship with Jesus (Matthew 20:28).
5. Come vs Be
The final consideration of church practices versus church priorities is the idea of coming to church contrasted to being the church.
People come to church as consumers seeking to get what they want. They expect to receive for themselves.
Instead, a better perspective is action, of being the church to a world in peril, to serve others and love them as the hands of Jesus. The church should seek to serve people (1 Peter 4:10). They should plan to give to others.
Church Priority Actions
To matter most, we need to change our church priority. This renewed focus should be on making disciples, sending missionaries, attracting people to our Savior, concentrating on an outward focus, and being the church to a world that needs Jesus.
Doing these five things will allow us to maximize our impact and grow the kingdom of God.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.
Bogged Down Reading the Bible?
Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”
Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.