Willow has recently completed a study into how much long term church attendance actually does change people. They found that it is not causing the "guaranteed change" that they thought it was...A lot of people have used the maxim, "I would rather have people at church for the wrong reasons, than not there at all." I heard it from my mom growing up... But I often wondered if it was really true.
Now... I would say that if by "at church" you mean "an genuine encounter with the dynamic living community of Christ on earth" ... I would have to agree... such an encounter would be beneficial to almost anyone regardless of their original intent for "attending."
BUT...
If "at church" means going to a hour long program where professional people talk and sing, tell us when to stand and sit, and the person next to you likely "doesn't know your name"... I confess I do not see the life changing potential...
I don't think it would have taken a well funded research to discover this...
Just think about it...
Jesus did not start a program but a revolution... A revolution might eventually have buildings... but it starts on the streets...
Jesus taught in the synagogues... but most of his memorable miracles and teachings were in gardens, hilltops, plains, streets, along rivers, by trees, in boats, fishing, and very prominently eating.
Jesus took the message to where people are in two ways...
1. Physically... he took it to their location, rather than inviting them to his location. Even the disciples, first he went to them, before he ask them to Follow him.
2. Culturally... Jesus spoke and illustrated things in the vernacular of his time period and audience. He explained himself using recognizable images.
The world will not be "rescued" by coming to us...
We need to go out.
Who do you know that really gets this... what are they doing?
