As I was driving home the other day- through some of the major states included in the deep south, I was struch with how insensitive we as Christians are to the very group that we are trying to reach.

OK- warning- I am going to talk about some things that you may not have thought about, and/or may have just taken as "normal", but I see as truly weird.  :)

There is a big church in northern GA that has had on it's marquee for several months the old quip- "You catch 'em, God cleans 'em." 
Hmm.  I am sure some God fearing person came up with that some years back and was totally blown away by his or her wittiness, but when I read that through the eyes of someone who is unchurched, or doesn't know God i think WHAT THE HECK!?   why would a non christian want to visit a church that so clearly states that they are "dirty", in need of cleaning and somehow "less than" those who are already attending.  If our goal as the church is to reach those with the pure love of Jesus, and to introduce Him to them, why aren't we more careful about how we talk to and about the non christians RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM?!  I read a book this week called a.k.a "LOST" by Jim Henderson.  It was really powerful.  It's all about evangelism through our lives, through listening to people, to being real with them, by not preaching and trying to "close the sale" so to speak.  It was awesome.  I highly recommend it.  I had thought about that silly sign before but it really bothered me this time.  I don't think that we think very much about who we are trying to "catch"- for if we did, our signs might read something like this:
God wants you to have sex- and lots of it with your spouse!
Don't Worry, we don't need your money!
If God is so good, then why is there evil in this world? 
Don't have a suit to wear?!  Us either!  Join us as you are.
God- not just for Republicans.

If you listen to people who don't know God yet personally, these kind of things would speak to them.  Telling them they need to repent, give to your church or look a certain way is not only guaranteed to keep them OUT of your seats, it is also the total opposite of how Jesus shared His love. 

Just my thoughts for the morning.  We need to be careful as to how we present ourselves to the very group we want to see come to know Him.  We need to love as Jesus loves, not be so quick to follow an agenda, or a plan or to berate people with the "Love of God".  Jesus is love- he oozes it, and had a way of making people WANT to repent and come to him, just by being in his presence.  He didn't have to convince them that they were so unworthy that they should be on their knees in his presence (although they certainly should have been!) nope- he served THEM.  powerful powerful stuff.

Posted by Anonymous

This is an excellent post! And so very, very true. The gal who helped 'bring me around' did it by being a strong presence in my life when I was on bedrest with my first child.

We played cards, she took me to the doctor, she scrubbed my floors, and she shared her life. And she exuded love and joy despite her own difficult circumstances. She opened a door and I was smart enough to figure out I was a sinner without her preaching to me:)

Posted by Anonymous

I firmly believe that evangelism is the function of individuals. And "church" is for beleivers. Sunday is a day to go worship and be built up in faith. Then you go out into the world the rest of the week and wtiness with your life and words.
~Christy

Posted by writmm

I read this post earlier in the week and shared it with my minister (who is also my stepfather. Just wanted to let you know he used it in his sermon today:)

Posted by momanna98

I like your avatar!
Funny "catch" phrases!