is “comfortable” what we are after?

Brian’s comment aroused a couple of thoughts in my mind and I’ll try and address it in the next two posts. The question it really brought up is: what do “unchurched people” or “non-Christians” really want in a church? From what I understood about what Brian said (and I think this is what a lot of people would say including myself at one point) is that non-Christians want a comfortable enviroment.
I think the reason we think non-Christians want “comfortable” is because that’s what we want. We want a comfortable place, so we build big churches, with fancy statues, waterfalls, game rooms, fireplaces and the list goes on. Sometimes we are honest and say it is for ourselves(“we simply need those extra rooms for Sunday school”), and other times we say it is for outreach (“we could have lots of concerts on this stage and people will get saved”). Now I’m not saying either of those things are true, or that they can’t be used for that, but I do question if that is really how we should be doing things. Or if Christianity is really about being comfortable in that way at all.

5 thoughts on “is “comfortable” what we are after?”

  1. Wouldn’t comfortable mean that you get rid of the physical barriers to spiritual growth? Of course there is the difference between comfortable and extravagant. But in many ways, I see creating a comfortable church as trying to remove the distraction of discomforth so that we can grow.

  2. Amen, Richard. There’s certainly a difference between sugar coating and making comfortable. Lets take an example from the Bible. When Jesus ate dinner with sinners he didn’t tell them that everything was going to be ok or try to “trick them into becoming Christians.” Unfortunately, I think that happens sometimes today. Churches get so worried about reaching out to the lost that they become somewhat lost themselves. Where does it stop? Well, I’m going to go do heroine every weekend so I can make that connection with the druggies and they’ll feel comfortable…
    What Jesus did do, though, is he reached out to the sinners in a way that would make them feel comfortable. He didn’t invite them for dinner one at a time with 12 Pharisees (who the sinners would regard as “extra-righteous”). That’s what it seems like a small church setting would bring about. He didn’t bring them and single them out in front of everyone else. He brought them together and hung out like a normal guy and simply loved them in a way that would make them feel comfortable. That is an extremely effective first step!! Once they realized that Jesus really was a good guy, that’s when he started telling them what Christianity was all about (rich young ruler etc.). All his sermons and parables were told to people that already knew there was something different – they were making a conscious effort to follow Jesus around and listen to Him. But what about those who thought He was just another religious nut? I think we should look at how he treated those people too.

  3. Mindy – I also understand what you’re saying. I don’t want comfortable either. I’m at a point where I need to be challenged. Church isn’t about me being comfortable, it’s about worshipping God. And like I said, my home church is small! People notice (and ask you about it) if you miss a Sunday. People will call you out if they notice you acting in an unChristian manner. That’s awesome! I just don’t think that is the only model for a church.

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