Ministering to the Un-Churched

We see them everyday, hurting people who feel as if they have no place to go and no one to turn to. They often will not consider going to church for fear of rejection, humiliation and judgment. So, they suffer in silent obscurity.

Last Sunday, our Lead Pastor asked two questions. First, what kind of people are we? Second, what kind of church will we become? Will we be a church that exists only for itself, never impacting our community with the Gospel or compassion? Or, will we have an impact that reaches far into the community, meets felt needs and proclaims the love and forgiveness of Christ in both word and deed?

There are those times, while ministering to the un-churched, that they say something or admit to something that shocks us. An important key to reaching them, is to not allow shock, surprise, disgust or fear show on our face, or be heard in our voice. If it does, the person will probably feel unaccepted and judged. These people hurt, they need a savior just like you and I. Jesus loved them, so much so, that he spent a great deal of time with the "un-synagogue" crowd. Can we be any different?