I think every church knows the mission. Jesus made it pretty clear in Matthew 28. We are to go into all the world and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to observe what Jesus taught. It’s not rocket science. It seems like pretty straight forward instruction on what Jesus wanted the church to be about.
Some churches are growing and others are in decline, but overall the church has a smaller impact on our society than ever before. Why? Why are churches ineffective? We have bigger budgets, more inviting buildings and the coolest programs that have ever been offered. So why is the church no longer relevant to the majority of our neighbors?
There is a long list of reasons why people don’t go to church, some are legitimate and others are just plain selfish, but there is one reason that cannot be denied. I don’t want this to sound too harsh, but I believe the biggest reasons are standing in our pulpits. This is not intended as a condemnation of our leaders, but we are going exactly where we are being led. We have great programs for those inside the building, but our church leaders are not setting the example and building relationships with those outside the building. They are not going into the community to reach the lost and hurting and the people in the pews are living the exact same lives as the leaders in the pulpits.
We all have a lot of responsibilities; work, meetings, social events, fellowship with other believers, family time, and church on Sunday mornings. Just like the leader, our schedules are packed and there is no time for us to fulfill the Great Commission, especially when no one is setting that example.
There are churches that hire someone to do outreach. While this is a legitimate role, that’s not the example of going into the community that is needed. That’s their job. They are paid to go into the community. They can set up programs and events all day, but they will not lead people out into the community as effectively as the person standing in the pulpit.
I was talking with a pastor earlier this week who told me he was ashamed to admit that he can go weeks and never interact with non-believers. It’s just not part of his routine. It’s not who he works with, it’s not who he hangs out with and it’s not how he spends his free time. Again, no condemnation intended. It’s the reality of his life. Just like everyone else, church leaders struggle to fit in all the responsibilities, but the leader has to lead.
The people need to see and hear that the leaders are lovingly engaging with the lost and hurting as a part of their daily lives. Church leaders need to come out of their homes and offices and begin to make a difference on the streets. Interacting with the lost and serving the hurting needs to be an everyday part of life from both the pulpit and the pew.
As important as all of our responsibilities are, GOING into the world is what we are commissioned to do. That is our call. That is why we are here. Jesus commanded it and the world is begging for it. Pastor, know this…where you lead from the pulpit, people will follow from the pew.