Initial Church Contact

..... When someone accepts the Lord and the subject of attending church is introduced, we must understand that their initial issue may be trust. The Lord has earned a place of trust in their life, but the church, as an institution, has not. Yet certain members of the church may well have earned such a place by now, so let’s begin by focusing on that; and let's start by expanding our concept of the church itself, as it is seen through God’s eyes.

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.... To God, the church is a universal body of all those who have called on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in truth. It does not know human barriers such as nationalities, ethnicity, denominations, church walls, or even a barrier of the ages. In this sense, the church is all around us in the lives of many persons whom we talk to each day. Church on Sunday morning is one thing, but church, in its truest sense, is where you find it.

.... "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

(Matthew 18:20)

.... So when you talk to a new believer about attending a church, please keep this perspective in mind and try to focus on the Lord’s ministry to them personally. Explain that it’s important for them to have friends with whom they can discuss the issues of a Christian life, so they can encourage each other. So, do they know someone who is already a Christian, whom they trust? Perhaps a family member, friend, or neighbor? Or maybe someone they work with?

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.... It is even possible that a special opportunity may present itself at this point. You might also ask if they have a friend who is not yet a Christian, who perhaps would be interested in hearing the gospel as well? This would be especially good for both of them, since they would be starting a new walk with the Lord at about the same time and they could easily relate to each other.

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.... And every person we’ve mentioned would already fall within their zone of trust.

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.... So if our new Christian friend knows of such a person, and they’re willing to tell them about their conversion, they’ve now gained entrance to the church through them. But if not (and in any case,) offer your own friendship and generously offer to introduce them to some of your other Christian friends. And when you do this, by all means frame it in terms of an equal friendship and in terms of their own approval, so they will be assured that their input is valuable:

.... "I’d love for you to meet some of my Christian friends, if you’d be willing to come over and visit some time. Most of us go to the same church, so if you’re okay with coming to visit at church, we could all go to lunch together after the service."

.... This approach may seem weak as an introduction to the church, but that’s because the average church, as an institution, has its own weakness. Most churches don’t have a basic discipleship ministry so they’re simply not geared for reaching out to new converts. Because of this omission it's much better, for now, to entrust that care to Christian friends.

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Daily Bible Reading: Luke 8