The Emperor Has No Clothes !

If a church's reach isn't reaching, it isn't reaching. If the church isn't reaching, it isn't meeting the Matthew 28:18-20 command of Christ. And, though we bemoan our failure to make a connection, it really can't be blamed on the growing complacency of our culture toward God and the church. You see when we reach outside our doors with a reach that touches people, there is always a response. In fact the greatest response comes in times of societal and political attack against the church's outreach.

When we actually are reaching people, there is always a response. Complacency is not a response to being touched. Complacency is a billboard shouting, "No one is reaching us!" Opposition, loud, harsh, even violent opposition, is a response. Complacency just isn't. And, scripture examples, as well as history, show a clear truth: the church grows the most in strength and numbers when it's outreach is also creating opposition. Bless God, we Americans must surely be living in a time of abundance.

Whether complacency or the rise of opposition, the signs are that America is ripe for being reached. Perhaps, we need to try something new. If what we are doing isn't reaching, then it is no longer the work of God. The work of God always reaches. Let's find out how He knows we can dynamically impact our communities, each one, now!

Of course, if our outreach is new and is from God, time and ignorance, length of exposure, etc. must indeed be factored in, so an unmeasured response is not the meaning of this above quote. In fact an unmeasured response, "I told you it wouldn't work," can be expected. It may itself be an measurement of success.

Nonetheless, most of us, most of our churches, fall into the error of "if it don't work - try harder." Do it again more and harder! It's got to work! This is the brilliant (yes, I mean that sarcastically) brainchild of neo-legalism and unhinged orthodoxy. (Unhinged from the Holy Spirit and thus human effort, fruitless.)

Likewise, if a church isn't doing anything to reach out, it isn't reaching. It's just in flat out disobedience and rebellion against Christ and the Kingdom of God. And if you are a part of that body of believers, you are in sin together with them. Unless of course you are in a quiet, or persecuted minority, who are reaching out and actually reaching people, outside the name of the local body, but in the name of the Bride of Christ.

Oh, I often hear, "We've been living in this community for 20 years. If they can't see what we stand for that's their problem." That, perhaps unintentionally, is a lie. What's worse, it is so unbiblical, so in contention with the teachings of Christ and scripture. It certainly not in sync with the witness of scripture events which according to Paul are also written for our teaching, correction, rebuking, training, and warning! It makes great logic. It fits almost all the way into some truth statements and dynamics of evangelism. But, it is the half of the half-truth that's false 100% of the time.

Oh, it is true that people are watching. It is true that they know what we are by observing and interacting with us. But, if that observation, that interaction, does not make at least some of them thirsty for the God, the Christ, whom we are to mirror, well - plain speaking - they just aren't seeing the thing, the person, you claim to be modeling and showing. Why, because what you claim, what you think they should see, isn't your observed reality.

You see, there is another truth involved here: "By their fruit you shall know them." I.e.., by your fruit they will know you!" Of course that applies to a church's outreach as well, by your non-fruit, everyone, but the emperor, can see that the emperor has no clothes.

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