Evangelization is a process of bringing the gospel to people where they are, not where you would like them to be… When the gospel reaches a people where they are, their response to the gospel is the church in a new place… – Bishop Vincent Donovan
Bishop Donovan I believe has outlined in these two sentences the way Christianity was meant to grow. It’s a bit reckless, a bit out of control, but always fresh and new and relevant to whatever new group of believers it has spawned.
Tradition would have us adding to the churches we already have. That’s reaching people where we would like them to be. It requires them to make adjustments to fit in. It is church, removed from the marketplace, in a separate controlled environment. We like this model of church because it is defined, safe and predictable. We know just what to expect. And it pretty much is guaranteed to stay the same.
The church Bishop Donovan is outlining is a church that is out there. It is church in the marketplace. It grows organically as the gospel reaches people where they are and it takes on the characteristics of those who come.
Church happens. Where the Spirit of God leads, people come. They come as they are and they are not required to conform to some external standard. There is no dress code, no creed and no conformity. Where grace rules, diversity is guaranteed. Church is basically a hodge podge of astonished hearts who aren’t even sure quite how they got there but are darn sure they are not going to leave because this good news is just too good to be true. True church is messy – rough in the middle and rough on the edges – but bathed in gratitude and awe.
If anyone is not welcome, that is a clear sign of a church gone astray. Someone has gotten in control. Someone is nit picking. Someone is picking at nits (or as Jesus said, “gnats, and swallowing camels”). The gospel of welcome creates churches of welcome, not churches of privilege. It’s a little bit messy, but then again, look what it’s made of. If it’s got you and me in it, then we’d better make room for everyone else.
So much for church in here. The time has come for church out there.
John Fischer The Catch 
Great post and very much needed to be read by all Believers. I’m taking this challenge. Thank you.
I like it – “the Gospel of Welcome”…
John, I highly recommend a book called “The Barbarian Way” by Erwin Raphael McManus. It helps to create the attitude you are talking about here, an attitude of going out, taking a risk, living on the edge, interacting with every kind of person, letting go of traditions, etc. It’s a little book, but it packs a big wallop in the direction you’re suggesting. Blessings, Waitsel
Thanks, Waitsel. I’ll check it out. I have one of his books already and know we’re tracking. I love it when that happens.
What is the Fundraising update ?
It’s coming.Taking longer than expected to compile.
I liked this and need to add an Amen to it: “… look what it’s made of. If it’s got you and me in it, then we’d better make room for everyone else.”
PS Thx 4 the suggestion of the book, Waitsel S.
John, My book club is reading the 12 steps for a Recovering Pharisee this month. I forwarded this catch to them to give them a little taste of what’s to come. Thanks for your consistent message – we’re getting it.
Fantastic! I like where this is going. I honestly think I am on to something big for the church and glad to see you connected with it. My greetings to the group. If you have a speaker phone, why don’t we set up a Q&A session for one of your meetings?