Now if Andrew Bynum can get back for some of the playoffs that will be a plus. However we pretty much got here without him He would certainly give us even more punch.
Go Lakers
LAKERS NUMBER ONE
I am so glad I am living in Los Angeles in the year the Lakers come good again. What a game on Sunday afternoon. Utterly decimating the Spurs who are a great team. Sure Ginobli was out but it was still a great display of powerful basketball. The whole team is playing well together and looking like they enjoy it.
Why do visitors return?
I have been challenged by this question for 30 years know. People have wide an varied reasons to visit our churches but I want to know why they come back. Maybe if we could get a bit of an idea about this we might be able to get more to return. Anyhow, here are some thoughts on the question. I would really like to hear comments. Even though there are some good statistical studies on this I am more interested in anecdotal feedback.
Which do you think is the most dominant reason?
1. They love the friendly atmosphere.
More Detail: They really enjoyed being greeted and the way many people engaged them in conversation. They perceive this friendliness as genuine and not manipulative.
Factors that influence this: Fellowship time with refreshments, Every member’s willingness to welcome those they do not know, Our friendliness to them no matter their race, creed or appearance, Being genuine in this.
2. They connect very strongly with the preacher – his style, ability to communicate.
More Detail: If people do not like the preacher or if he doesn’t really connect with them, most people will not return. He can connect with them on many different levels but he must connect somewhere for them to return.
Factors that influence this: the preacher’s ability to connect with visitors as well as church members in his preaching, Humor, 21st century cultural relevance (talks about things that people deal with today),
3. They really like the strong teach of definite answers to the questions of life.
More Detail: After listening to a sermon or Bible class the visitor feels that they have be given a definite solution or answer. There is right and wrong and God has to be listened to. There are clear paths for your life from God
Factors that influence this: Preaching and teaching style, Literature
4. They have a background in the Church of Christ and we satisfy their need to be in a church like that (acappella music, weekly communion etc.)
More Detail: These visitors are looking for a place to go on Sunday, and usually only Sunday, that is their brand. Even thought that is the reason they return they can be taught to see the deeper spiritual truths of a relationship with God in His church
Factors that influence this: Similarity to what they are used to.
5. They connect with the level of excitement and energy in the group.
More Detail: This is a lot more influential than many think. It needs to be in combination with one of the other reasons to return but most people, especially of the Boomer and later generations, are looking for this.
Factors that influence this: The energy level of our singing and praying, the enthusiasm of the leaders, the smiles on people’s faces
6. They have children and want them in a Bible Class or Youth Group.
7. They identify with one particular group of adults.
8. The church building is close to them.
9. The church’s ability to help with a particular need they have.
10. Engagement in a relevant personal bible study.
11. Personal relationship with an existing member.
Which do you think is the most dominant reason?
1. They love the friendly atmosphere.
More Detail: They really enjoyed being greeted and the way many people engaged them in conversation. They perceive this friendliness as genuine and not manipulative.
Factors that influence this: Fellowship time with refreshments, Every member’s willingness to welcome those they do not know, Our friendliness to them no matter their race, creed or appearance, Being genuine in this.
2. They connect very strongly with the preacher – his style, ability to communicate.
More Detail: If people do not like the preacher or if he doesn’t really connect with them, most people will not return. He can connect with them on many different levels but he must connect somewhere for them to return.
Factors that influence this: the preacher’s ability to connect with visitors as well as church members in his preaching, Humor, 21st century cultural relevance (talks about things that people deal with today),
3. They really like the strong teach of definite answers to the questions of life.
More Detail: After listening to a sermon or Bible class the visitor feels that they have be given a definite solution or answer. There is right and wrong and God has to be listened to. There are clear paths for your life from God
Factors that influence this: Preaching and teaching style, Literature
4. They have a background in the Church of Christ and we satisfy their need to be in a church like that (acappella music, weekly communion etc.)
More Detail: These visitors are looking for a place to go on Sunday, and usually only Sunday, that is their brand. Even thought that is the reason they return they can be taught to see the deeper spiritual truths of a relationship with God in His church
Factors that influence this: Similarity to what they are used to.
5. They connect with the level of excitement and energy in the group.
More Detail: This is a lot more influential than many think. It needs to be in combination with one of the other reasons to return but most people, especially of the Boomer and later generations, are looking for this.
Factors that influence this: The energy level of our singing and praying, the enthusiasm of the leaders, the smiles on people’s faces
6. They have children and want them in a Bible Class or Youth Group.
7. They identify with one particular group of adults.
8. The church building is close to them.
9. The church’s ability to help with a particular need they have.
10. Engagement in a relevant personal bible study.
11. Personal relationship with an existing member.
What Makes a Church a Church?
Did Jesus plan for His church to be imperfect?
He certainly planned for it to filled with imperfect people, saved sinners.
He planned for it to be lead by mature but still imperfect people. One of the most prominent church leaders of all time, Paul, proclaimed that he was the chief of sinners.
When the Holy Spirit wrote to many of the churches of Christ in the first century He did so because they were not getting church right. There is more in the letters of the New Testament about what was wrong with those churches than what was right.
Despite all this God regards this imperfect church as His church. So, what makes a church a church? I have some ideas from scripture. I hope you do as well and are willing to share them with me. What do you think? I will share my perspective in my next posting.
Help for the Homeless
Increasingly the church where I work is being faced with ministering to the homeless and we have been feeling increasingly helpless in actually helping them. Our Community Ministry has organized a special seminar this Saturday on How to Help the Homeless. Rudy Salinas from the PATH organization will be speaking on how to reach out to the chronically homeless. Click Here for more information
Religion in the USA
Just in case you haven't seen it here is the link to the full report from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. Very interesting.
Time Flies When You're Miserable
I can't believe it has been so long since I have blogged. At least that proves I am not addicted. Been laid low with the flu along with most of the populations of Southern California. Then I had to chase my tail to catch up on all the work I missed.
How about those Lakers? Pretty much makes my move to LA a winner. I can't believe how well they are playing. At least Kobe doesn't have to try and save them every game although he had to take over a bit a couple of games ago. Go Lakers.
I have made any final decisions but I am feeling a strong temptation to become a Dodgers fan. I know I am an unashamed swing fan. However I do love the Padres but I can get such good tickets to the Dodger games from my friend. And the legend, Joe Torre, is coaching the Dodgers. I must confess I am receiving daily emails from Dodger spring training. I feel like such a traitor. Well, maybe the Padres will not be that good this year and my pending seduction to the dark side will make sense. I feel so dirty.
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