Think about it: Does ‘Church’ hinder people coming to Church?

Everyday Church“If anything is a hinderance to people being introduced to Jesus then it has to be disposable. Yes, the cross offends. Christ crucified will always be a stumbling block. But we must remove every other offense. We must do all that we can to live in a way that exposes and manifests the true nature of the cross. 

So this is a plea, not necessarily to ditch the word ‘church‘ (though William Tyndale replaced it with ‘congregation‘ in his translation of the Bible into english), but for us to be  preoccupied with being truly that which the term designates. This is not some misguided interest in rediscovering the purity of a New Testament Model, as if the New Testament presents a definitive blueprint. Instead, it arises from a passion for others to discover the grace that comes to us in Christ.”

Everyday Church  pp 99-100

What do people think?

Outreach = Eating?

“Jesus didn’t run projects, establish ministries, create programs, or put on events. He ate meals. If you routinely share meals and you have a passion for Jesus, then you’ll be doing mission. It’s not that meals save people. People are saved through the gospel message. But meals will create natural opportunities to share that message in a context that resonates powerfully with what you’re saying”

“Meals bring mission into the ordinary. But that’s where most people are—living in the ordinary. That’s where we need to go to reach them”

Tim Chester: A Meal with Jesus, pp 89,91