I am reading through Margaret Feinberg’s book, Organic God. She told a story in the second chapter that grabbed my attention; a pastor in Colorado planted a church and with a congregation of 100, 75 were new believers in Christ. Many people say that you NEED church people to start a church, because non churched people don’t give, volunteer and pitch in. I have wrestled with this concept for a few months now, because I feel deep down like new Christians would be more productive in a new church than weathered Christians (no matter the level of commitment). People who are new to their relationship with Jesus are passionate, drawn to change and in love. Not to say that people deeper in their faith walk can’t be passionate, drawn to change and in love, but there is something powerful about a new relationship.
When she asked this pastor how he had established such a spiritually young congregation, he shared with her how his team went about developing a church body. He said that first off, they went into the community, coffee shops, bars, restaurants, etc. It is important that we engage people in the community. He then shared with her his technique for engaging people in questions of faith. He would ask people this one question; “what do you love about Jesus?”
Margaret shared that what she loves is Jesus’ beauty. For me, I can say that I love his relentless pursuit. I think we can all learn from this question. What do we love, but also how do we communicate to other people about who Jesus is to us, and who he can be to them. One question with life-altering answers.