“If I can’t find it, I can’t buy it.”
I ran into a large discount department store to grab a pair of pants. Almost an hour later, I was up at the register. Simply put, just too much clutter in the men’s department to find the right size and color without a lot of search. Too much clutter. Not enough signs. Not enough order. Not enough help.
It all began innocent enough. I had not planned a customer service consultation in my hurried morning. I certainly had no ambition to complain, I was getting a good pair of pants for half the price.
But, wouldn’t you know it, when I arrived at the register, it became apparent I had chosen the pair of pants without a price tag. So, while I waiting for the price, I simply said to the cashier, “I don’t mean to complain, but you might tell your manager, ‘if I can’t find it, I can’t buy it.’” She told me to hold on a minute, and came back with the manager in less than a minute. He told me he had decided he would use my little slogan at the Tuesday morning staff and sales meeting, and I could have the pants for $9.99, because of my help. Great way to start the morning. What a deal! It may have been worth the hour afterall.
As I have contemplated on this experience, and prayed through some missional implications, I suggest the following thoughts to guide some of the missional conversations and discussions.
- If we don’t preach Him, they can’t hear Him. Simple enough. How will they hear without a preacher (Romans 10)? We must preach Him, warning and teaching everyman (Col 1). The missional church must not rest until Jesus embeds, transforms, and impacts every community and culture. This is a clear word about clarity of the message and focus on Jesus in our preaching. Fact is, some people come to our churches to get skinny and sober and never get saved. Please don't misunderstand, I am all for health and sobriety, but the real need is redemption from sin and reconciled to God. Jesus is the Savior. He rescues us. How will they hear if we don't really stay focused and be clear?
Are we primarily preaching Him? Is there too much clutter? Too much noise? Not enough order? Not enough help? Unclear, or no signs? Mixed messages? What do people hear from the church today? Are there barriers to this clear message of good news? Too many fences?
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- If we don’t live it, they can’t see Him. Again, simple enough. People see the reality of Jesus through radically transformed lives.
How does the church look like Jesus? How do we maintain the light and salt while engaging the cultures and communities? How do we live out Romans 12 with authenic Christian lifestyles and character so people see Jesus?
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- If we don’t go, they can’t come. The missioanl church is sent. Sent to preach. Must have a church-shift here-God is the Seeker. A missional makeover if you will. Thinking missional means thinking incarnational. They can’t find him, if we aren’t “out there,” because they aren’t coming to the church to find him. Jesus came to seek and to save. The missional church is sent to seek (Luke 10). We are sent to preach (Romans 10)!
What does it mean to be missional? What does it mean to be incarnational?
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Well, like I said, the morning began innocent enough. Hope the missional discussion helps us be more on task and in focus in order to reach everyone (Matthew 28), everywhere (Acts 1:8), to the glory of the Father (Matthew 6).
People are shopping. How long will it take for them to hear the gospel? Check-out Barnes and Noble. They are finding tarot cards, astrology charts, and new age propaganda. The occult and cults are growing. Are we preaching Jesus with clarity so there will be no confusion about why He came, what He came to do, and what He has done for us? If not, they won't find him in the clutter and disorder. Our missional and evangelistic strategies must reach people where thay are. Maybe we need to drink coffee and do evangelism at the bookstores across America.
Think through your evangelistic strategy, sermons, and programs. When the few do come to the churches because of some great invitation or religious memory- let's be sure our calendar and programs aren't so cluttered they don't hear the message of Jesus! If we don't preach Him, they can't hear Him (Romans 10)