Wade Hodges recently wrote about knowing what to count not to count when evaluating a church. He suggests that the two most common things that churches count are nickels and noses-- number of people that come and how much money they give. We don't count these two things because they are the most important things about a church-- they are simply the easiest things to count. Hodges suggests that more important that the number of people present is the number of guests who come each week. If new people don't visit, then your church will die, slowly and eventually, "for lack of new blood, fresh ideas, and beginners energy." But it is not just guests; it is the type of guests that visit.I think he makes some great points. We don't invite people to visit with us unless we really enjoy what is going on and want to share it. If we enjoy what is going on in church and think it is important, then the only reason we would not want to invite people to come with us is because we don't really care. Or haven't thought about it. So think about it. And care.It’s even better if the majority of the guests aren’t church hopping and shopping. If all your guests are from other churches then it may be a sign that your church is judged to be safe by disgruntled Christians who are fleeing churches that are trying new things. Not exactly the kind of people with whom I want to fill a room. It could also mean that your church is doing some really great things and the word has gotten
out among the consumer Christians and they’ve come to check out your church just like they plan on checking out the new Bottomless Buffet restaurant that has just opened up in the shopping center across town. Again, not ideal, but it is a sign of vitality.Even more important than the number of guests each is week is the number of guests who are there because someone from your church invited them come. This indicates a number of things. People from your church feel good enough about what’s going on there to talk about it with others and extend an invitation. It also means they’re spending time with people outside the church, hopefully with people who are chasing down the answers to some big questions.
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How do they treat the ones who are different or in need? What if there are tattoos, nose rings or other body changing? What if they do not understand kings English or what if they have been abused by religious authority figures? How do they treat those who can not drop big money in the plate?
I have said it before and I will say it again. . . I will not invite my bride to be to join me in a snake pit. . . unless I know where the snakes are and I want to see how good could she can read them and handle them before I make that communication known to her.
There are those unseen spiritual things that we are unable to see with our earthly eyes. Sometimes we are preoccupied with earthly worries, we must feed and cloth our family, there are many miles to travel and many responsibilities pull at us from different directions. Will we allow those to draw us away. Can we not set aside one day a week to. . . rest. . . reflect . . . stand still and worship. . . stop working. . . for men and worship. . . our maker for one day and reflect on his love.
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