It starts with a picture, not a lecture A prisoner bound in chains in the company of two armed guards dressed in plain clothes.

Scriptures Luke 4:14-21 Luke 11:14-22 Ephesians 6:12 Colossians 1:13-14 Colossians 2:13-15

And Can It Be? Long my imprisoned spirit lay Fast bound in sin and nature’s night Thine eye diffused a quickening ray I woke, the dungeon flamed with light My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth and followed thee. My chains fells off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth and followed Thee. Charles Wesley

Differences Between the Outreach Focused Church and the Ingrown Church

The Outreach Focused Church The outreach focused church exists primarily for outreach. The ingrown church exists primarily for the nurture of its own members.

The Outreach Focused Church Outreach focused churches see their church as a missionary outpost. Ingrown churches see themselves as a fortress, designed to protect people within the fort so that they can live a safe and separated life from all the evils in society.

The Outreach Focused Church Outreach focused churches are courageous and take risks to advance the mission. Ingrown churches are fearful and play it way too safe because the status quo must be maintained at all cost.

The Outreach Focused Church Outreach focused churches are motivated by compassion. Ingrown churches are motivated by judgment.

The Outreach Focused Church Outreach churches charge every ministry with the responsibility for outreach. Ingrown churches have delegated outreach to a committee.

The Outreach Focused Church In outreach focused churches, the pastor equips the people to do the work of the ministry. In ingrown churches, the people expect the pastor to do the work of the ministry. In other words, in outreach focused churches, the pastor (s) are in the bleachers and the members are out on the field. In ingrown churches, the pastor (s) are out on the field and the members are in the bleachers.

The Outreach Focused Church The outreach focused church revolves around the mission. The ingrown church revolves around the pastor and the sermon.

The Outreach Focused Church In outreach focused churches, the people see themselves as missionaries. In ingrown churches, the members see themselves as consumers of religious goods and services.

The Outreach Focused Church Outreach focused churches zero in on identity and mission and what the members can do for the community. Ingrown churches zero in on the clergy and what the pastor can do for the members.

The Outreach Focused Church Outreach focused churches have more problems. Ingrown churches have less problems.

The Outreach Focused Church Outreach focused churches have arguments over the things that really matter. Ingrown churches have arguments over the things that don’t really matter at all.

The Outreach Focused Church Outreach focused churches are mission sensitive. Ingrown churches are consensus sensitive.

The Outreach Focused Church The default of outreach focused churches is “mission.” The default of ingrown churches is “friends.”

The Outreach Focused Church The outreach focused church identifies the needs of the community and gears most of the ministry to the community. The ingrown church identifies the needs of the congregation and gears most of the ministry to the members.

The Outreach Focused Church Outreach focused churches are simple. Ingrown churches are complex.

The Outreach Focused Church Outreach focused churches interpret scripture through the lens of mission. Ingrown churches interpret scripture through the lens of maintenance.

The Outreach Focused Church Outreach focused churches change the way they do business in order to get the job done. Ingrown churches do business as usual in order to keep the members happy.

Outreach Focused Churches Outreach focused churches comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Ingrown churches focus on keeping the peace at any price.

Outreach Focused Churches The outreach focused church understands that the world has changed and sees new opportunities to minister effectively. The ingrown church understands that the world has changed and continues to use the same old methods and is in despair that Christendom is dead.

Outreach Focused Churches In outreach focused churches, the attitude is one of common ground regarding the sinful human condition. In ingrown churches, the attitude is “us” against “them.”

Outreach Focused Churches Outreach focused churches at lighthouses. Ingrown churches are clubhouses.

Questions Which one of these comparisons stands out for you? Which ones are a struggle for you? How would you relate this to what is happening right now at First Covenant? How is God speaking to you about your own life? What is your one take-away from this message?