When people ask about Wylie Christian Church, often times we think about the praise team/band-The Red Dirt Disciple Band. Some may reference Bible study or formation groups or youth led worship while others may try to describe the diversity of the congregation or the slightly off center style of the pastor!
Recently I was asked a more direct question. “What is your church doing in the community?”
This caught me off guard. It’s not that I didn’t know the answer, I just don’t talk as much about mission when I am describing our congregation. Maybe I never imagined people were that interested in boring outreach. Surely we would attract more folks by boasting of our good music or engaging programs. Lead with your best foot! Right?
Well, there I was. Seated in our worship space in front of a delegation from another congregation, and I began to answer the question. I began by describing our Christmas shoe box program. How it grew out of the Our House project. How real the need is and how small our effort. I talked about watching young people open those boxes. I talked about watching members in church assembling boxes, and how even visitors participate; how some folks only come for this kind of Sunday. While I was describing those scenes I began to weep. I tried to fight back the emotion. I was almost embarrassed and even apologized.
The more I described our church in mission, the more I realized how much we are doing, and what cool stuff it is! The Boys and Girls Club relationship: the various youth organizations that use our facility for sports activities or to cook for and mentor young men: the year long sock drive: Sunday breakfast: mailboxes for shut-ins and in-mates!
I remember over the years when I would ask folks why they had decided to join our congregation, the answer was not that often music or theology. The answer was most often mission. It was always about our involvement in the community and in peoples lives; and not just church people.
Congregations today seem to be moving back into neighborhoods; where people are. Unlike the “Golden Era” they are not asking what the neighborhood can do for the church, but finding ways to serve the neighborhood. Churches in mission, like ours, attract members and experience growth when it looks like they are going to give it all away in service to others. We grow in our own faith as we serve our neighbors.
Recently I was asked a more direct question. “What is your church doing in the community?”
This caught me off guard. It’s not that I didn’t know the answer, I just don’t talk as much about mission when I am describing our congregation. Maybe I never imagined people were that interested in boring outreach. Surely we would attract more folks by boasting of our good music or engaging programs. Lead with your best foot! Right?
Well, there I was. Seated in our worship space in front of a delegation from another congregation, and I began to answer the question. I began by describing our Christmas shoe box program. How it grew out of the Our House project. How real the need is and how small our effort. I talked about watching young people open those boxes. I talked about watching members in church assembling boxes, and how even visitors participate; how some folks only come for this kind of Sunday. While I was describing those scenes I began to weep. I tried to fight back the emotion. I was almost embarrassed and even apologized.
The more I described our church in mission, the more I realized how much we are doing, and what cool stuff it is! The Boys and Girls Club relationship: the various youth organizations that use our facility for sports activities or to cook for and mentor young men: the year long sock drive: Sunday breakfast: mailboxes for shut-ins and in-mates!
I remember over the years when I would ask folks why they had decided to join our congregation, the answer was not that often music or theology. The answer was most often mission. It was always about our involvement in the community and in peoples lives; and not just church people.
Congregations today seem to be moving back into neighborhoods; where people are. Unlike the “Golden Era” they are not asking what the neighborhood can do for the church, but finding ways to serve the neighborhood. Churches in mission, like ours, attract members and experience growth when it looks like they are going to give it all away in service to others. We grow in our own faith as we serve our neighbors.