Every now and then I read something that just stops me in my tracks. Today I thought Shawn Lovejoy nailed it as he addressed an increasingly bantered around notion of “the Church”. Thanks Shawn for putting words to what so many of us have been thinking.

Shawn Lovejoy

Shawn Lovejoy

Theologians, Pastors, and “Professional Christians” have been infamous throughout history about arguing over things that don’t mean a hill of beans to anyone. One of those debates I’ve been hearing so much has to do with this question: “Is our responsibility as a Church to invite people TO church, or take the church TO them?” The debate is over whether a church should build buildings, and hold “Worship services” and ask people to come to us to experience Christ; or take more of a “house church” approach and take the church more to people in the community where THEY live. Theologians and “missional thinkers” (whatever that is), have placed most churches into one of two categories: “Attractional” OR “Missional”. So many pastors I know of have been struggling to figure out which one they are, what they are, and what they’re supposed to be doing. Theologians have drawn battle lines over this issue, believe it or not.
I want you to know that I believe this whole debate is pointless: First of all, it’s important to keep in mind for a healthy dose of perspective, the fact that neither the word “Attractional” or “Missional” is found in the Bible ANYWHERE, in connection with the church. If this classification and debate was that important, don’t you think God would have spelled it out? However, the MAIN reason this whole debate is pointless is because I believe a church is not supposed to be either “Attractional” OR “Missional”. I believe every church should be both! I believe every church’s call is be BOTH Attractional AND Missional!
God addresses this issue in the book of Acts when it says: “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,” Acts 2:46 (NKJV). Gosh, isn’t it more simple than we’re making it? Aren’t we supposed to INVITE them to worship at the “Temple” with us, AND hang out with them in our homes?! Isn’t THAT the Biblical model? What am I missing?
At MLC, have an incredible worship service, that’s designed for those who might give God and the church one more shot, each weekend. And we have reached TONS of people this way! However, 85% of our adults in our church are active in a small group each week that meets in a home in our community. These groups are ALWAYS open to outsiders, and designed in such a way that outsiders will always FEEL welcomed. We’ve had many people over the last several years attend a small group for weeks, even months, before giving our worship service a try. We’re fine with whatever path a person chooses: As long as we’re reaching people for Jesus Christ! We invite them to “come see us” and we tell our people: “Let’s go get ‘em” and they do! Call us “Attractional” or “Missional” or whatever you want to call us. I just want to be “Biblical.” Great Commandment—Great Commission. That’s what Jesus said was important. What about you?