Reaching Out
What does it really mean for us as churches to "reach out"? As I go around the various classes and churches within the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia, this is the question I raise. From our statistics the facts speak for themselves. We have not been "successful" in reaching the lost for Christ. But the culture is changing, and more and more church leaders and members are asking all the right questions. How can we as churches be more effective in fulfilling the great commission and living out the great commandment?
What if we as churches change our conversation? Instead of measuring our "success" by the numbers of either membership or attendance, what if we measure "success" by the impact we are making on our society around us. That is the challenge Rusaw and Swanson encourage us to consider: "It's not about size; it's about impact. Can you imagine the difference it would make if [the 52 CRCA churches ] all measured their effectiveness by external measures (impact on communities) rather than internal measures (attendance)? Can you imagine the difference it would make if every church around the world did the same?" (The Externally Focused Church, page 214).
So here are some questions to consider:
When was the last time you were really proud of what your church was doing?
Is your church an internally focused church or an externally focused church? How can you tell?
What are your church's current outreach focus and methods? In what ways is your church currently salt and light in your community?
Reply and tell us your stories!
About the author
Jack De Vries was hired on by the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia and began his work as Ministry Training Coordinator in January 2008. In 2012 this role shifted to that of Ministry Development Coach.
Jack came from Canada where he pastored three Christian Reformed churches: Alliston CRC, Alliston, Ontario(1983-87), a church plant: New Life Community Church, Pickering, Ontario(1987-95), and Bethel CRC, Listowel, Ontario (1995-2007). Jack is a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity - 1983) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry - 2003) Jack and his wife Jeannie currently live in Petrie, a northern suburb of Brisbane in Queensland. They attend and are members of Bray Park Community Church. They have four adult children and seven grandchildren living in the USA and Canada.
In Isaiah 58:11 we read: "The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Australia has seen times of drought and floods. There is another type of drought in Australia; there is a spiritual drought. But God promises to provide refreshing rain, a never ending supply of refreshing water. The water he provides will satisfy the needs of all Australians. As we take up the missional vision God has given us we extend the life changing invitation of Jesus: "Come! Whoever is thirsty, come, and take the free gift of the water of life!" (Revelation 22:17)
