Isn't it amazing that the evangelical church has made such a profound impact on culture? Many of the great social impacts that the church has made include hospitals, medical clinics, youth programs, intercity missions, homeless shelters, counseling care centers and many philanthropic advances (to name a few) are attributed to the Christian faith. The evangelical church has contributed greatly over the past century alone!
In modern times, the church can not rest on it accomplishments. The church must learn! It must learn to reach our world in ways that demonstrate compassion and care. It must learn how to adapt it's ministry to meet the needs of people today. The church must adapt without compromising it's mission.
Today's blog centers on what the church must learn? As I write this blog today I sit at a Panera Bread in Coral Springs, Florida. The sites and sounds of people here impress me that the church must learn to adapt to the culture, language, experience of people within just a ten-foot reach of my computer. The church, particularly the evangelical church, must recognize the importance of keeping the message of Christ's love and hope of salvation relevant to the needs of people.
Today we live in a vastly diverse community. At this Panera Bread there are people from the Mexico, Caribbeans, Cuba, Porto Rico and nearly every region of North America. They come with many different backgrounds. What a mission field! But, how is the church to relate to this vastly diverse people group?
Perhaps I am simplistic but the answer seems to be in the way the church interacts with the culture we live in without changing the message of Christ. As I observe Panera Bread, it offers a market-researched product that connects with customers. They offer the same menu with a slight seasonal variation. They provide a positive impression and friendly service. They care about the needs of people (at least in the food and coffee department). Panera Bread may hold one key to effective Church ministry. It is consistency with it's franchises and products while exhibiting positive service. I have been to as many as ninety different Panera Bread stores in my travels and they are all very similar!
What of the church? How consist ant is the message from the Church? How consistent is the service? Like any McDonald's chain, the products, service and care is the same at every single McDonald's.
I am not suggesting that every church offer a coffee shop. But what may be a solution is that the church offer one consistent theme like "Service with a smile!" Yes, the church experience is unique and every denomination has it's focus but what if every Christian simple say, "How may I help you?" and follow through with "Thank you. Do you have any suggestions on how to improve our service?" The message of God's Love and Hope of Salvation in Christ remains the thread that weaves God's Word but it is mastered by the "Golden Rule" of treating your neighbor as you would yourself.
I read a book recently called "The Starbucks Experience" and it has forced me to think about how I treat others. While secular in nature it does impress on me the importance of Christ-likeness! Consider this: If every Christian were as nice to people at Church as the employees of great eating Establishments like Panera Bread or you name it, this would completely change the perception of Christians. Think about it!
