Reaching the Uncomfortable

What if 80% of the population had claustrophobia? You know, complete fear and discomfort of small spaces.

What if you were head of a WiFi company and decided to build tiny cubicles in which the public could access the WiFi connection it needed in a fast, affordable, and convenient way? But in a very tiny space.

20% of the population would amble into your miniature WiFi cubicles and rejoice. At last! Cheap, affordable and convenient WiFi access, with charging stations for all my gizmos, to boot!

80% of the population would sweat, shuffle, hesitate, think long and hard--and head to a spacious Starbucks. There is no way they would step into that cubicle no matter how pretty it was, no matter how nicely they were invited, and no matter how badly they needed WiFi. It just wouldn’t happen.

The church faces this issue today. 20% of the population is comfortable stepping into church. They feel it is important and they follow through. 80% of the population thinks the roof would cave in on them if they walked through the church doors. They hesitate, sweat, or write off the need for what the church provides. They’re not coming inside.

How do we reach people with the Gospel who have written the church off? How do we communicate the Good News so it looks and sounds like good news to them?

Some churches are going to the uncomfortable. Moving outside of claustrophobic cubicles, believers are thinking creatively about what the church looks like in the community. They are inviting the uncomfortable into the wide and open spaces of serving others in the name of Jesus. They are entering into relationships with the 80% and are praying and watching for Jesus to show up.

Believers need to remember that inviting people to church, while very worthy and important, will only resonate with two out ten people. But inviting people to make a difference in the lives of others, to dedicate their lives to a worthy pursuit, will resonate with nine out of ten people. Statistics show that, while only 20% of the population wakes up in the morning with a desire to attend a church service, 90% of the population wants desperately to make a difference in the world. Isn’t Christ’s Church the biggest difference maker in history?

What if the uncomfortable became gripped with Jesus’ grace while participating in a Gospel act? What if that new blessing led them to worship the One who shows such love?

How are you rethinking your company strategy so that 100% of the people have access to eternal life?