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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Why?

Why are there events, workshops, and activities at the campuses of Christ Community Church?

I have to admit that growing up in the 70's I got the impression that what happened inside the church and at the Bible College I attended was to help me to be a better Christian. Yes, there were outreach events, but those were to be hosted by professionals and our responsibility as a good Christian was to invite people to attend and then sit back happy that we had done our job.

I am sad to say that this kind of thinking permeated how I "did" youth ministry over 14 years. You know, teach the saints and host events that students could bring their friends to.

Sadly, there wasn't much emphasis on developing relationships, how to have conversations with your friends and having the all important follow up.

I am glad to say that this weekend we have a chance to do something different. I want to encourage you to bring a friend to hear Hugh Ross this Sunday at CCC-Sarpy.

Recently I have been thinking of how to summarize why we would want to hear Hugh Ross. It is not for you to gain more knowledge, to have better ability to discuss creation vs. evolution, or to not be nervous when talking to an atheist.

It is....
  • to help others know that there is a God
  • to help others realize that God cares
  • to let others know that God created this world and universe
Be thinking of who you should invite to learn more about God or to realize that there is a God.

Blessings,
Steve Walters
Campus Pastor-Sarpy

posted by Steve Walters at 9:18 AM

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Why American churchgoers like to shop around

Last week I read an article by Andrew Santella at Slate.com

Andrew introduced the topic of church shopping based on the story of the Obama family still shopping for a church in Washington DC.

The article describes the discomfort for the way growing churches attempt to attract spiritual shoppers. Gone is the simple marquee in front of a church saying something like, "Prevent truth decay: Brush up on your Bible." Now there are focus groups, surveys, giveaways and my favorite, "mystery worshippers" who covertly attend services and evaluate them as if they were first-timers looking for a new church.

However, with the prohibition against establishing an official state religion supported by the government we now have a "shoppers' paradise that is our religious marketplace." Santella goes on to say that this leads churches and pastors the need to recruit and keep a flock to support the church.

I agree. As a pastor, it is easy to fall into a marketing mindset thinking that people will come because of great colors, websites, music, follow up, etc. All those are important. We do need to have quality ALONG with genuine, sincere lives that reflect God's love. I can't let marketing and graphics be more important than God.

After a year with Sarpy, I realize that what truly appeals to guests who come on a Sunday to church, is that there is warmth, smiles, acknowledgement of their presence as well as acknowledging that God is real and active.

We will continue to say and believe that here at Sarpy, "No perfect people allowed"

posted by Steve Walters at 2:04 PM

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Who have you told?

I know it wasn't too edgy, but we handed out during our one year celebration a magnet with the RISKS motif and style design with a question smack in the middle of the magnet. The magnet asked, "Who have you told?"

That phrase has stuck in my mind since Pastor Mark Ashton challenged Christ Community during Accelerate, our leadership development conference held in January. "Who have you told?" was a question Mark raised after it was discovered that only a small minority here at CCC talk to people our spiritual issues or just invite to church. We were encouraged to pray for 6+ opportunities in 2009 to invite acquaintances to church or to take a risk and have a spiritual discussion with someone.

Because of that challenge, I have had the privilege of inviting someone to CCC-Sarpy.

Let me tell you of another incident that reminds me that God is in control.

A La Vista gentleman has been coming to CCC-Sarpy for the past month. He came because on a Sunday morning in January KLUV's [a local, yet national Christian radio station] signal became weak and hard to hear. He switched to the other Christian radio station, KGBI. It just happened that during that time the Old Mill campus broadcasts the 10:45 Connections service. He listened, enjoyed the service and teaching, checked the church out on the website and then discovered that there was CCC-Sarpy meeting in Bellevue. A few weeks later he and his children were guests of ours and they have been coming ever since.

We need to believe in dual roles.
Our role? To initiate spiritual conversation and invite people to church.
God's role? To use us to reach others, to prepare their hearts to be willing to discuss spiritual topics, create an interest in accepting an invitation to church and ultimately to bring people to Himself.

Asking "Who have I told?",

Steve Walters
Campus Pastor

posted by Steve Walters at 7:09 PM