Tickets to Church?
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Recently, I have read about several churches in America that are so large that people need a ticket to enter for a service. Easter is fast approaching. And since they cannot fit the thousands of people into their multiple locations, people need to get their ticket if they expect to attend.
Let's imagine that someone gets a ticket to church before they run out of available tickets...what is it that they receive? Basically...
1. They get to enter the building where a service is held.
2. They get a seat - and will sit in it quietly for 90 minutes.
3. They get awesome music by a talented band.
4. They get an inspiring talk by the well known leader of the church.
5. They may even get some type of spiritual nudge or food.
I got to thinking...
Imagine a church of 2,500 people in a city of 250,000 people. Imagine that the church's desire is to reach every person in their city with the gospel. Now imagine that they all come to your church this Sunday. Imagine that they don't have a ticket. Where will you seat them? Nevermind seating, how on earth would you ever begin to disciple them? I guess they just go home.
Ok, so they won't all come. What if only half come? 150,000 people. Same problem. Same questions. What do we do? What if only a shabby 10% come? 25,000 people! Same problem. Same questions. What if even just 1% come? 2,500 people show up on top of the 2,500 you already barely hold? We are still in a big jam! Are we ready? Where will they sit? How would we respond faithfully to disciple them? Is our "church" ready for this?
The structure, strategy and function of many churches on earth today tell me two things:
1. They do NOT want to reach their whole city.
2. They don't take the Jesus & the New Testament seriously. His commands are just suggestions.
What are some ways that a church could prepare itself to reach all 250,000 people in its city? Is there a structure or strategy that could make this happen?
Jesus said he wants us all-- all nations-- not just those with tickets.
How?