Comments on: A Neighboring Church

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:11:56 +0000

Rob – way to be open with your feelings. Comparison is a horrible indicator of success isn’t it? I think we all identify with those feelings, whether from the church perspective or from a personal perspective. Bigger house, nicer car, more expensive clothes….full, flowing, stylish hair or bald…ok I’m just spilling now

Love you bro – great post!

By: robsjourney

robsjourney — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:25:52 +0000

Paul, I appreciate your comments and I appreciate the perspective in which you give them by. I have to say, that I absolutely love what you wrote: “There’s already too many walls in the Body of Christ; be the guy who lives like they don’t exist.” I will take those words as a personal challenge. I also like the “three minute rule” that you spoke of. I believe that is a very practical tool that churches can utilize to get their people intentionally reaching out to visitors and guests.

By: Paul Wilkinson

Paul Wilkinson — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:11:21 +0000

Though I’m not a pastor, over the past two years, I visited 31 out of 35 churches in our ‘twin-towns’ community. I found it an enriching experience to see firsthand how different people worship.

Your first point: Don’t let some “ministerial ethics” tradition stop you from doing this again. I own a couple of Christian bookstores, and one time another store owner got all tense because I dropped into his store to say ‘hi.’ There’s already too many walls in the Body of Christ; be the guy who lives like they don’t exist.

Your second point: Guess what? You’re human. It’s normal to see the toys somebody else has and want to play with them. But the recent data is telling us that the smaller, simpler, more intimate churches are often having the most effective ministry over the longterm. And the first century church had no special lighting; at least not that is recorded anywhere.

Your third point: Very few churches have people who have either the training or the motivation to seek out first-timers and engage them conversationally. In the 31 places I visited, the warmest reception I got was from a breakaway Catholic group; which surprised me as an Evangelical. My own church has a “three minute rule.” In the first three minutes after the benediction you are only allowed to speak with people you don’t know.