We make being part of the church so hard. At the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, they have almost no requirements to becoming a member. The membership 'discipleship' class comes afterwards. This is one of the largest Methodist churches in the USA, and they are only 25 years old. Coming in should be easy, not hard.
http://www.cor.org offers a good example of deliberately welcoming, and being clear as to the kind of congregation you are being invited into.
Has anyone read Leonard Sweet's "The Gospel according to Starbucks" ? Great insights.
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Studies show that fewer Americans than we thought attend church, and Sweet, popular author (Soul Salsa) and professor of evangelism at Drew Theological School in New Jersey, thinks that the church should take cues from an institution that isn't suffering a lack of customers: Starbucks. For all his hip cultural sensitivity, Sweet hasn't shed one standby of church-growth books: the acronym. His is EPIC, which stands for Experience, Participation, "Images that throb with meaning," and Connection. Starbucks has mastered EPIC living, and the church can, too. The successful coffee corporation recognizes that people are drawn in through visual icons, and it beats competitors because its design sensibility is superior—indeed, its imagery is shot through with "spiritual significance." The church should take a hint and, instead of focusing solely on its written mission statements, devote some energy to design. Starbucks understands that people hunger for "authentic experience." Finally, just as people like to drink coffee together, people seek community and connection in religious settings. Sweet's bottom line? Christianity must move beyond rational, logical apologetics, and instead find ways of showing people that it can offer "symbols and meaningful engagement." This whimsical and insightful book offers a fresh approach to a topic of perennial interest.
Comments
don't know whether to laugh
don't know whether to laugh or cry ...
So True
We make being part of the church so hard. At the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, they have almost no requirements to becoming a member. The membership 'discipleship' class comes afterwards. This is one of the largest Methodist churches in the USA, and they are only 25 years old. Coming in should be easy, not hard.
http://www.cor.org offers a good example of deliberately welcoming, and being clear as to the kind of congregation you are being invited into.
starbucks book
Has anyone read Leonard Sweet's "The Gospel according to Starbucks" ? Great insights.
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Studies show that fewer Americans than we thought attend church, and Sweet, popular author (Soul Salsa) and professor of evangelism at Drew Theological School in New Jersey, thinks that the church should take cues from an institution that isn't suffering a lack of customers: Starbucks. For all his hip cultural sensitivity, Sweet hasn't shed one standby of church-growth books: the acronym. His is EPIC, which stands for Experience, Participation, "Images that throb with meaning," and Connection. Starbucks has mastered EPIC living, and the church can, too. The successful coffee corporation recognizes that people are drawn in through visual icons, and it beats competitors because its design sensibility is superior—indeed, its imagery is shot through with "spiritual significance." The church should take a hint and, instead of focusing solely on its written mission statements, devote some energy to design. Starbucks understands that people hunger for "authentic experience." Finally, just as people like to drink coffee together, people seek community and connection in religious settings. Sweet's bottom line? Christianity must move beyond rational, logical apologetics, and instead find ways of showing people that it can offer "symbols and meaningful engagement." This whimsical and insightful book offers a fresh approach to a topic of perennial interest.
www.leonardsweet.com