I spent the first half of the week with Kent Rogers, our worship minister, at the Drive Conference in Atlanta. North Point Community Church is one of the largest churches in the world. And Drive is practical leadership conference that gives church leaders an insider's look at how Andy Stanley and his staff conceive of and envision church in their context.
North Point unabashedly wants to create churches that unchurched people want to attend.
And I love that. (If you think that idea is shallow, pick up Andy's book Deep & Wide. I'm in the middle of it. It's definitely worth a read.)
I'm not sure I've ever been a part of a church that seriously wanted to do that. But if we were honest with ourselves, most of us would have to admit we attend churches that exist for churched people.
And after spending half of a week in a church that exists for unchurched people, I spent the rest of the week in Las Vegas, a city of unchurched people.
I played 36 holes of golf with my buddy Daniel on Thursday at Desert Pines & Royal Links. Great golf & great weather.
Holly and I had a great time with some of our best friends in Vegas. Unfortunately, I figured out I was allergic to Sin City, as I struggled with my sinuses all weekend. But all in all, we had a great time!
I'm still processing the week, but it seems obvious that the church needs to rethink its mission as it relates to a growing segment of our population that loves Jesus, but wants nothing to do with his church.
I saw people in Vegas who could use an encounter with Jesus. Is the church truly ready?
3 comments:
Enjoy processing the week and figuring out how to reach the "unchurched" in your culture (sub-culture). Sue and I have been attending Flood in San Diego and are now part of Flood Hillsdale, another Flood at a different location. We've been members for almost a year and it has been refreshing and transformational.
While I believe God can transform people anywhere, I find it is easier to allow Jesus to transform me in an environment that embraces transformation. Such an environment is full of mercy and strives to find the right tension between grace and obeying the rules. Love and intentional, holy submission are critical to success.
If you want to see what Flood looks like in San Diego, check out www.diveintoflood.com.
Developing community is important too. It is messy and takes work and love, but is essential for developing the relationships, vulnerability, and openness essential for reaching those outside of church and helping them to live a transformed life.
Glad you got to enjoy Atlanta and Vegas.
Preston
Hi Collin! i've been reading your blog for a while. First time commenter. Sounds like your time in Las Vegas was awesome! Glad you had a good time relaxing and all. i've been reading Deed And Wide by Andy Stanley and definitely believe in the "church for the unchurched" idea.
Love your blog Brother. Keep up the good work. God bless. Grace and Peace.
zack
zackblaisdell.wordpress.com
Zack,
Thanks for the comment & encouragement. I'm only 1/3 of the way through the book, but it's good stuff.
If you like the book, you might think about attending the Drive Conference next year!
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