What makes the Church Attractive?
I read this short description of the Early Church and why it was so attractive to the people in the Roman Empire pre-Constantine. It made the Church so attractive that it grew and grew….here it is.
“And yet the early church grew and grew and grew, even without intentional evangelistic strategy or ministry. How? By being the most attractive community in the Roman Empire. The early Christians rescued abandoned babies and raised them as their own. They gave dignified burials to all, regardless of economic status. They cared for the sick; instead of abandoning the cities in times of plague, they stayed and cared for the sick and dying, even if it meant their own deaths. It was said of the early Christians that “they alone know the right way to live.”
What do you think is the best way to make the Church attractive today to our nation?
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Comments
Tim Eakins
Me personally… I don;t think it is “the attractiveness” of the church per se, but the attractiveness of “THE LOVE” of the church.
Watching Christians love others is the one thing that has won many converts I know. They would never have gone to church or respond to the gospel. But the simple act of watching Christians they know love and care for their neighbors was the one thing that intrigued those enough to make them WANT that kind of love.
Face it, the gospel is offensive… and woe to anyone who adds to it by offending further….It is the purpose of my heart and my quest to love people simply, and in truth… like Jesus. Now, that would be attractive!
Tim Eakins
Jason
Thought provoking question Pastor Billy…
Could it be that spiritual oneness is what caused the Church to grow so rapidly in the early days? Ephesians 4 gives us seven Spirit led elements in maintaining oneness within the Church. One Body, One Spirit, One Hope, One LORD, One Faith, One Baptism, One God. We read about this throughout Acts where unity is exhibited. Today we have the same opportunity as believers & will experience the same (even greater) byproduct of such submission to the Spirit. The community AT LARGE is blessed when believers focus on maintaining unity through the Spirit.
We make the Church attractive to the nations today by continuing to lift up Christ and build up the believers that already comprise the Church within our locality. It seems one of the main reason “churches” (organizations) are so weak these days is because some are focusing on building “them” up, rather than equipping believers (the Church) to edify one another & minister among the lost. When the Holy Spirit is upon believers, as in the days of the early Church, He will give gifts to men, strengthen the saints, build up the body of Christ & advance the Kingdom. True growth is always Spirit led… If it’s anything else, it will take man-made efforts to keep it going…which when resources or men run out… the apparent growth ends… God doesn’t get behind our best ideas.. Spirit led servant discipleship replicates strong believers who the LORD uses to grow the church exponentially.
There is nothing more attractive than a fellowship of believers laying aside themselves (needs/ wants/ desires) and pursuing those around them with the love of Jesus! Less talk… More walk…
Human effort accomplishes nothing, it is the Spirit who gives eternal life… John 6:63
in Him,
Jason
Cheryl
You pose an interesting question. I agree with both comments here. That is a great description of what the Church should be. I would love to read more of that. I think a lot of things that are very simple, we tend to make complicated. I believe that if we live a life like Jesus did, surrendering our own lives, putting others before ourselves,being obedient to the Father, sharing His Love with others, and speaking truth (walking the talk), our lives will be what attracts them to the Lord! I am by no means saying that’s easy to do, just that I believe that is what it will take.
Dave Ohlerking
Let’s also include truth and authenticity. No games. No masks. There is a famine of truth and men’s hearts cry for it.
Steve Sjogren
Though two thousand years have passed since the Church in Jerusalem was established, the kinds of things that attract people to Christ have not moved a bit. There is a need to connect with the culture surrounding us. It isn’t that difficult to make a connection but it does require some leadership. We can move out in specific, empowered ways that will cause those looking for love to take notice. LIke the seeds Jesus mentioned in the parable of the sower, the seeds and the soils – the power is in the seed we sow – not in the expertise of our scattering seeds of God’s love. Something happened with each seed regardless of the soil types. As we connect with people with the practical love of God we will see our simple kindness become the kindness of God that leads to repentance (Rom. 2:4) – or as the Message puts it, “A radical life change.” Let’s keep scattering seeds like crazy and not worry too much about our ability to do this all that well. God’s Spirit will come upon our scattering of his love and convert that to something amazing in his strength.
Maurice Velasquez
I think a lot of this was due to them being “one” back then, under common and valiant leadership. Today we are so fragmented and compete against each other that our good efforts are seen as partisan posturing. Great post Bill!!!!!!
Maurice Velasquez
Billy
Thanks Steve. I’m all for scattering seeds of hope and kindness. Great response.
Pastor Bob Roach
The quote was very reavealing. The early church spoken of here was the post Apaostolic and Post-Acts church. These churches were the inheritiors of the Apostles teachings and actions. They had gone through great persecution by the Roman Empire and their lives were often forefeit for believing in Christ. They also became very “works” oriented and the Apsotle John, the last of Jesus’s apostles, warend the Ephesian Church and all the Church to “Come back to their First Love- Christ.” As the Church of Christ today we need to balance our walk with Loving the Lord and each other; we also need to be led of the Holy Spirit and allow the Love of Christ to go beyond the confines of Church meetings and out into a world that needs healing, care and forgivenes; forgiveness that can only be found in accepting the Gospel of Christ.
Pastor Bob
Donald W Gillis
What makes a church attractive?
OUTWARD?
The neatness of the church buildings and landscapping communicate with the public. Individuals feel, “These people really care for their worship facilities.”
If there is a church sign or other means of communicating with those who pass-by, the information must be up-to-day. The first day after the event, the information should be removed and replaced with a new event.
INWARD?
When people enter the building, their first response should be, “This building is clean.” Floors, the seating in the santury, class room, church kitchen, and the church offices should be clean, vacuumed, paper, and
various other items are removed, straightened and everything in its place.
From the parking lot into the church building, church members should speak to everyone around them and welcome each other to the church fellowship. When visitors arrive, greeters should welcome and escort
them into the building to the proper ministry for each family member. The greeter should introduce them to other individuals as they find their proper places, and introduce them to the teacher, class members or those in the worship service who are seated close to them.
Each of these suggestions communicate to the members and visitors that “LOVE” is the theme of this church fellowship. Love and acceptance is what individuals and families are looking for.as they study and worship.
By the way, make sure the ladies restrooms are spotless. that the preschool department is sterilized and the workers related to each child, care for them indiviudally and teach effectively.
Donald W Gillis
Matumona Maindo
I totaly agree with what Billy said on his blog.But I think the church to-day can’t rescue those values.Because christians are so violents,aggressives.There is no more faith nor love among Chrestians.They are so frustrated about the economy,and aboutt errorism.If they still have faith and love as Billy said.Our nation shall be diffrent among others.Our faith and love could push God to stablish our economy and destroy the terrorists in the holes where they are hidding without sending our troops to fight them.we read it in the bible ( how God destroyed the Egyptians in the Nil river ) the bible tells us.Billy!How the church to-day can be attractive?The are members of the church that are insulting the governement and congress because of the healthcare vote.this vote is going to save our own people lives.we are asking for foreigners help,eg.in Haiti,Sudan.Our troops are dying in foreign countries.But we do not want to hear about health care inside US.Members of churches are in front of protesters.We forget that if we want to obey,we have to obey the autorities because autorities came from God.he establish them for our benefits.Shame to us
Thanks,may God bless you BILLY
Billy
Interesting comments Matumona. I would like to hear what others have to say about the health care bill.
Billy
Brandon Miller
@Donald Gillis: Not that any of those comments are wrong, but let’s not define “the church” as a building. “The Church” is PEOPLE – the community of believers. If we limit our understanding of church to the four walls, though they may be very clean, we limit our influence to the building square footage instead of the city, nation, globe. I believe the ability to “turn the world upside down” comes in part from a passionate intimacy with Jesus that overflows into every aspect of our lives and drives us to share His love with others, beyond Sunday morning.
Mervin Strother
And yet the early church grew and grew and grew, even without intentional evangelistic strategy or ministry. How? By being the most attractive community in the Roman Empire. The early Christians rescued abandoned babies and raised them as their own. They gave dignified burials to all, regardless of economic status. They cared for the sick; instead of abandoning the cities in times of plague, they stayed and cared for the sick and dying, even if it meant their own deaths. It was said of the early Christians that “they alone know the right way to live.â€
COuld you please give a little more info on the origin of this quote. I would like to read more along these lines. Very interesting.
Thanks,
Billy
Mervin, I have tried to find it myself. Some time ago I read something about this and then ran across this quote again. I will look for it. Billy
the bible
the gospel
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