Reaching the Ones God Misses the Most 5 Principles for Missional Churches

Luke 15:1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! 3 So Jesus told them this story…

1. You can’t force people into your church, but you can be ready when they come.

15:20 “So he returned home to his father 15:20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him... 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast,

Excellence honors God and inspires people.

2. Killing sacred cows and reaching lost people go hand in hand.

15:23 And kill the calf we have been fattening 15:23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast,

1. Have a compelling vision.

2. Have the guts to lead. Pr. Myron Edmunds says: “It is impossible to lead the church to the next level without attrition”.

3. Have the involvement necessary to bring alignment to the vision. There can’t be competing visions.

“If a church is open and only church people are attending I question the validity of it remaining in existence”. Williams, Zach (2013-12-04). Transitioning the Church: Leading the Established Church to Reach the Unchurched (Kindle Location 730). Rainer Publishing. Kindle Edition.  

3. Treat antagonists with respect, but don’t stop the party.

15:25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working 15:25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’

4. Don’t be that guy

15:28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in.

1. He did not stop his brother from leaving.

“In this century, the ratio of people lost versus new converts is 43 per 100.” http://news.adventist.org/en/all-news/news/go/2013-11-19/at-first-retention-summit-leaders-look-at-reality-of-church-exodus/

2. He did not search for him while he was gone.   2. He did not search for him while he was gone.

3. He did not rejoice when he came back.   3. He did not rejoice when he came back.

5. Grace for everyone.

15:20 …“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 15:25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house,

Acceptance preceedes reformation.