When reaching a specific institutional context - such as a college campus - with the gospel, it is imperative to evaluate possible limitations within your church body’s current paradigm. Three shifts are proposed, with the shift being a more expansive and inclusive paradigm over the original:
- Moving from a come-to church to a go-to church. College fellowships take painstaking efforts in planning events to draw outsiders in, but the simple truth is that the majority of students view Christianity antagonistically, and no matter how much coaxing these students will not go to a Christian-sponsored event. Mostly, these events are good for seekers. By being go-to, a church body develops a sent mentality and claims places of authority within the realm of different fields. For college students, this means acquiring leadership positions in clubs of all kinds and serving others within those contexts.
- Moving from fellowship unity to functional unity. By looking outside of itself to determine the specific needs of the surrounding community, the body simultaneously forms strong fellowship while fulfilling gospel imperatives. We should avoid saturation of in-house bonding activities because, in the words of Dr. Ed Gross, love that stays inside starts to smell bad.
- Moving from church growth to transformation. Numbers are a good metric but not a complete one. PKenny would use the phrase, “Don’t miss the miracle.” Gauge ministry success based on the working of the spirit prompting sheep to make more disciples. Transformation takes two avenues: believers bearing fruit, and the world around them taking notice to respond. We hope in a time when Jesus enters the mainstream vernacular with respectful disposition.
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