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One more reason why it is good to live near your church: Evangelism. For example, I'm much more likely to convince an unbeliever to come to church with me when it is close. Contrast, "Hey, would you like to come to church with me...it's only 40 minutes away?" with "Hey, my church is two blocks down the street. Would you like to come?"
The 9Marks blog aims to stimulate a helpful conversation among pastors, church leaders, and Christians about life together in the local church.
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How true it is one reason my wife and I are considering going to a different church. We bought a house across town from where we lived and went to church. It just ins't working so well.
Posted by: Shane Vander Hart | Nov 20, 2007 1:19:35 AM
Dee,
Great to see you writing on a blog again! I agree very much that our lives are to center around our church and that it is a good thing to live close in proximity. What would be your advice to one that lives, say 30 minutes from their church building? Is that not local? Do they need to move closer? Do they have to find a new church? Surely they should not compromise on a church simply because it is closer. Is it wrong to encourage someone who lives 25 minutes away to attend your church?
Posted by: Andy Lutz | Nov 20, 2007 2:19:20 PM
I don't necessarily consider that as Evangelism. Too often in today's church we want to bring people to church so the pastor can "get them saved". I believe we should take discipling more seriously, beginning with evangelism, and "Go ye..." Remember "so neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth." (1 Cor. 3:7) Allow God to use us, our testimony, our faithfulness to share, even our flaws, to be a witness of the gospel through us. We are His tools.
Posted by: Jerry Williams | Dec 4, 2007 11:27:15 AM
Dee,
I whole-heartedly agree with you. I wish more Christians chose a church with an evangelistic mentality rather than a consumer one. Our present church choice was made for this very reason. We have found the close proximity of our church a vital tool for both pre- and post-evangelism of our lost neighbors.
-- Todd
Posted by: Todd Benkert | Dec 4, 2007 10:08:01 PM