If we are doing a good job with outreach, however, then we should also keep an eye on the back door for those who aren’t yet connected and committed to the Body.

My experience tells me that churches tend to err on one side or the other. Some do a great job of attracting people to a gathering, but then they are never taken to the next step of discipleship and eventually the people leave; some to other churches, but some to never be seen again. Others don’t do much to grow the church numerically, but they “disciple” people for generations who never multiply themselves. (Which I guess is not really making them true “disciples” of Jesus either.)

Thanks for the reminder.

I would also have to differ and say that most churches I see aren’t focused on discipleship, thereby closing the back door. They are doing what ever it takes to keep the doors open, which doesn’t disciple or convert.

Since the church is not an organization that does something, we have to grow in our relationships with Christ and each other, for starters, to find out how God has gifted the body through each individual.

Some are Apostles, some are prophets, some are evangelists, some are pastors and some are teachers (with extra emphasis on some). We have it all. To what extent are we encouraging those gifts? How are we as leaders equipping the gifted? How is ministry growing from the inside out?

When we begin to dialogue in that direction, I believe we’ll see dynamic shifts at both the front door and the back.

Five purposes of the church comes to mind also. Is that really realistic?

That sounds like a church with a closed back door that is significantly (though not exclusively) focussed on those inside it.

cont’d…47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

So even with a strong focus on the internals, it was impressive enough to people outside of it that they wanted a piece of it and joined in. People want love and accessible community. They don’t want to be a target. Accessibility is huge.

And keep this in mind… some people go through the back door to test Christianity, to see if these folks really do love them. I’ve run into a number of folks that have been wounded by the fact that they were allowed to exit so easily because to them it meant they were not valued. That doesn’t mean we pander to people who go through (or are threatening to go through) the back door. But we do need to be active in showing people inside that we care for and value them so that those inside will want to stay and those outside want a piece of what that church has got.

Are we totally successful in this area, no. I do believe we have a solid plan that does work. Ultimately, people have to desire to be in community or none of this matters. You can create great situations but people still have to take advantage of them. Far to many just go on the weekends and that is all.

In fact, we found that those who most share their faith as a lifestyle are those who’s lives are growing deeper in maturity and walk with Christ. Should that surprise us though? Real evangelism, lifestyle evangelism is a deeply mature action that involves sacrifice, intentionality and compassion. Actions and attitudes that only come from spiritual maturity. Actions that only come from real, biblical discipleship. They cannot and should not be separated.

You want people to actively share their faith? Have them fall in love more deeply with Christ! New converts have a zeal to tell others. Not unlike when you get a good deal on something at a store and you share that with a friend. But that zeal is not sustainable without discipleship. We experienced that hundreds of times with conversions: great takeoff, great zeal, no lasting walk. Initially sharing with anything that moves, but nothing long term and in many times a falling away. Really sad.

To say that a church is healthier with a primary outward focus gets it just as wrong as saying a church with a primary inward focus is wrong. The two work in synergy! Tandem!

The issue is “making disciples!” The “Going” of the Great Commission is a natural extension. We need to inculcate the fact that “going” is as natural to a maturing xtian life as bible study, small group, worship, etc. Not separate it.

Mike

Are we equipping God’s people to do the work of God or are we enabling them to keep their seats warm? That question is not a critique, but a legitimate question Tony. I know how big blogs like your’s works – you get waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many questions to answer (not counting your Twitter and just plain old email) – so if you answer that question it would be great.