fresh & practical ideas for your journey to the summit
My 4 must-have qualities in a connectable church
As I write this on New Year's Day 2016, I am reflective over 2 questions that are close to the core of probably any man or woman who has a ministry in any aspect of assimilation:
- What are the must-have qualities that make a church connectable for people?
- What characteristics are deal-breakers for me personally when it comes to my being a part of a church?
Communion and Reaching In (3 of 4)
I believe we can help guests AND members of our churches make better connections with God and each other by sharing Communion together, holding fast to these two realities:
1. Understanding the story of communion is the only pre-condition for participation
2. If the Holy Spirit is drawing a person to receive the Meal as the story is explained, that is a "sign" of their acceptance at the Table.
Communion and Reaching Out (2 of 4)
What if Communion is not a cleansing ritual for Christians but a story-telling experience for all who need the gospel?
This is the question I proposed in my last post. As someone who is passionate about helping people connect to the Body of Christ, I would respond to this question in a controversial way: I believe that communion was never meant to be a time of personal cleansing of sin for a believer, but a chance to vividly understand the good news about Jesus and how that works out in everyone's life.
The Role of Communion in Assimilating People (1 of 4)
Now a warning: In this series on the role of Communion in assimilating people into your church, I am about to step on all kinds of tradition, notions, orthodoxy and orthopraxy when it comes to the Lord's Supper, including that of churches who may not take it at all. But since most of the two and a half billion Christians in the world take it in some form, its impact on the seekers and guests coming to your church from various traditions cannot be ignored.
What I now believe about guests at our church
I used to believe that I needed to "sell" church to new people.
I believed that I needed to continually speak of the advantages of being part of a church, the benefits of spiritual community, a connection to their ultimate purpose, and more. Though true, I think focusing so much on these advantages distorted my thinking about our guests.
I know believe almost the opposite...
Ready to speed up your progress?
Is it time for you to take building (or rebuilding) your Assimilation System seriously with the CTA Video Course (especially before your next big weekend)?
Do you need one-on-one help with one of our results-driven coaching packages? (we’ll join you in the weeds and do the work with you)
Or are you ready for total staff-wide alignment — the fastest move you can make toward strong walls and open gates? Then Base Camp is for you.
What about a full audit of the walls and gates that you are (or maybe aren’t) presenting to your guests every Sunday with a Secret Sunday Guest Review?