We just got back from a weekend trip to Myrtle Beach. Every time we go down we have to go to Broadway at the Beach. We go there mainly because I’m jonesing for ribs at Tony Roma’s (un-stinkin-believable!). There is a Build-a-Bear there that people are crazy for. I’ve never passed by that joint when there weren’t hundreds of people lined up outside waiting to customized a stuffed animal. The crowd at that place is ridiculous.
The site of all those people reminded me that it doesn’t take much to draw a crowd. You come up with the right gimmick, market it just right, and people will show up in droves. They will file in, not because they need something, but simply because of the hype. You get some smart people in a room to brainstorm creatively and you can easily come up with something that will draw a crowd.
Unfortunately too many churches are satisfied with a “Build-a-Bear” approach to ministry. They are putting together a cool product and marketing it very well. They too a drawing crowds. Which is cool. It’s great that there are new expressions of church that are appealing and exciting. It’s great that these new expressions are engaging people that would otherwise be sleeping in on Sunday mornings. There is absolutely nothing wrong with innovation and creativity in the church. The problem is, too many churches are way too satisfied with simply that.
Jesus did crazy things when we walked this planet. Things that people had never seen. Things that drew crowds. He knew many people surrounded him just to see the show. One time he took a little boys lunch (five loaves of bread and a couple fish) and feed five thousand people. That’s what is reported in the bible, not including the women and children. So, there was mostly like ten or fifteen thousand people fed from that kid’s lunch box. The next day the crowds came back. Jesus knew why they came and challenged them to go to the next level in they’re thinking about him.
When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” John 6:25-27
Jesus was glad they were there, but he did not waste the opportunity to remind them that he wanted to do more than fill their stomachs. He had hoped that his miracle would open their eyes to who he was as well as fill their stomachs. Every amazing thing Jesus did that turned heads had a purpose. That purpose was to make a statement about who he was and what he had to offer, with hopes it would inspire change.
To many churches are just filling people’s stomachs. I know, I know. You may respond, “That’s God’s job. Only he can change lives.” And you’re right. Only God can changes lives. But Jesus established the church to be the agent that imparts his truth to help that change happen.
What has happened to aggressive discipleship? Jesus challenged the disciples to go make more disciples. He challenged them to do for others what he had done for them. He spent three years investing in the lives of these dudes. He spent three years challenging people to move from the outskirts of curiosity to the circle of commitment and belief.
The church has to do the same. We have to not be satisfied with simply drawing a crowd. We must be intentional about moving people toward a deeper relationship with Jesus. We must move people to a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Christ follower. We must spur them toward a relationship that saturates their being and moves them to a new way of thinking and living.
Be innovative. Do whatever it takes (within Biblical standards) to engage your community. Create the most impressive worship experiences as you can. But don’t stop there. When people walk away from church they should be impacted by the power of Jesus, not just impressed with the package of the church. Let’s go leaders. Let’s take advantage of the crowds of curious unbelievers that are showing up each week. Let’s invest in those lives so that they can experience all Jesus has to offer.
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 6:11-15
