Transforming a Culture

How do you transform a culture? That’s a question that has challenged everyone, from the managers of football teams, to government leaders and school principals over the years. It’s a question that should be on the table in the life of the church also.

I recently attended an online webinar about evangelism, or sharing our faith, and found it quite sobering on one level and inspiring on another. Less than 1% of churches in the Western World feel that they are doing evangelism well and passing on the faith to those outside of the church. We might argue that we are focussing more on discipleship and, while that is really important, the reality is that, if we are not passing on the faith to new people, we do not stand much of a chance of surviving.

Many churches assign the evangelism side of things to the clergy and, what this effectively means, is that for one hour or two hours on a Sunday, depending on how many services you have, all the evangelism is done by one person who is usually speaking to people who are familiar with the truth of the gospel. Again, it’s not the most effective or helpful approach if we are seeking to reach new people.

A church’s culture is transformed when everyone becomes aware that this is all of our job, to pass on the faith. Some of us will be better at talking about it and explaining it, certainly, but everyone can invite. Sometimes, it’s as simple as telling someone in the family or at work that we will pray for them when they are going through something difficult.

Maybe, it’s about saying to a friend or neighbour that you have found church to be an important part of your life and, if you’d like to come along some time, I’d be glad to bring you. The renowned evangelist, Billy Graham, believed that it took the input of at least 7 people before anyone comes to find a living faith in Jesus. We might be the first or second conversation on that journey and all we are doing is sowing seeds, but often people remember something as simple as the kindness of Christian people when they went through a difficult experience, and it opened their eyes to the possibility of God when they hadn’t considered Him before. 

Imagine the possibilities if 150 people, which is our average Sunday attendance, took this task to heart and sought to share simply every day in their daily work and interactions and dealings with family friends and neighbours, that faith in Jesus is something important to them. Think how many more people might be reached with this hope as 150 reach out to 150 more, and so it spreads.

I’ve just finished an absolutely fascinating book called ‘Unreasonable Hospitality.’ It tells the story of how a middling Brasserie in New York City was transformed into the greatest restaurant in the world. While some of that story is about food – how it is sourced, prepared, presented and how it tastes, it’s also about approaching hospitality with the same passion, attention to detail and rigour that is applied to the food.

I read some amazing lessons about how our actions make people feel, and the way the team behind this restaurant committed themselves to going the extra mile to make their customers feel as if they had just had one of the greatest experiences of their lives every time they came to dinner in this restaurant.

It’s full of powerful lessons about building team, giving people responsibility, learning from mistakes, striving to learn constantly and putting service at the top of the agenda.

Will Guidara, the author of this absorbing book and the entrepreneur behind this work of transformation, is an extremely driven man. I loved his humility, his openness to admitting to his staff when he got things wrong and his courage to stick to his guns when, at times, people thought his commitment to service was crazy.

There are so many lessons to reflect on, as I think of the project of transforming our culture in church so that it reflects more and more the fragrance of Jesus to all who cross the thresholds, for whatever reason. My friend and former colleague, Andy, used to have a powerful phrase when we were put in touch with people who hadn’t been to church in a while, or who were visiting for the first time at one of our services or organisations – ‘Treat them like kings.’ As we seek to love and serve the community in Jesus’s name and make Him known, may His glory be our aim in all things.

Can I remind people of the Mind Matters meeting at 7.30 pm on Thursday, when we will hear a presentation on ‘Burnout.’ Parish prayers begin this week at 6.45 pm.

Don’t forget, if you have children or grandchildren of primary school age, Messy Church is on Friday at 3.30 pm and all are welcome.

Next Tuesday, the funeral service of Dorothy Funston will be at 12 noon in church. Please hold her family in your prayers.

Also next Tuesday evening at 7.30 pm in Knockbreda Parish Church, a special evening of music and reflection on the topic of grief, which might be of interest or help.

Look forward to speaking again soon.

Much love to everyone,

Jono.

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