GlocalNet

Guest Blogger - Brian Hook
At NorthWood we say “It’s not only about the Sunday Event.” Our hope is that members and church planters will understand that the church is more than just a weekend gathering.  We also recognize that many churches in America will have no better time to make that first impression of the Gospel than the hour of worship. In the 90s, many churches in America followed the Saddleback and Willow Creek Model of catering to the unbeliever. One result was that many “wanna-be” churches began exclusively entertaining the lost at the exclusion of feeding the saved. In light of the lack of fruit, and the pervasive bent towards consumerism, churches slowly strayed from targeting the very people that they first wanted to reach.  Sadly, consumerism for Christians has become the mainstay in the American Church. Churches have moved from talking TO the lost, to talking ABOUT the lost. It’s easier to huddle with the 99 than to focus on the 1.  As a result, many believers wouldn’t dare bring their unbelieving neighbors to their church. Most churches would say that they are trying to reach their community, but the language, worship, messages, and even ministries offered during the corporate worship time together are geared towards the 99.  I am not suggesting a return to the “seeker targeted” services of the 80’s, but I am suggesting an honest look. Here are some practical suggestions if I was starting a church today in Anytown, USA.
1.  Realize the importance of ministry to children. People in America really do want their kids to learn about Jesus, even if they don’t know Him personally. I heard one pastor say, “It’s not our job to teach your kids about Jesus, that’s your job.” I agree to some extent with this pastor, but I’ve also seen kids come to know Christ, and lead their parents to a saving faith. The children’s ministry should be safe and fun, but it also should be filled with the teaching of the Living Word.
2.  Youth need to be challenged by Scripture in an environment of grace. All great movements began with youth that were transformed by the power of Jesus, and followed Him in a loving relationship.  Teach youth the Word through the eyes of the Father. It might be the only Father that they will ever know.
3.  Music in worship needs to be good. Unbelievers CAN worship. They worship all the time. The question is who and what do they worship. If they come to the worship experience, do your leaders provide them their best or just what’s best on the current Christian worship CD? I know “Good” is relative, so If you don’t know what good is, take your worship team to a U2 concert rather than a church worship conference.  Look past the lights, and see Bono’s passion and engagement with the audience. 
4.  Talk about the Kingdom Economy from the beginning. People need to know that the King has resources that He shares with his children for the advancement of His Kingdom. He is never in need and neither are His kids that follow Kingdom principles.  An unbeliever will love this kind of money talk.
5.  Preach the Living Word of God. People don’t just come to hear theological truths from Calvin, Luther, or.…Osteen. They come to hear the Truth that has recently changed your life, and how this Truth can change them. Every week the message should feed the saved and challenge the lost. The Gospel is relevant to both.

At the end of the day, it’s really about leading the 1 to the One.