Uncle Sam wants you! Years ago post offices and other government buildings would have a picture of the mythical Uncle Sam in his, white stovepipe hat with blue sash and star, and a blue coat. Uncle Sam had a very determined countenance and an extended right arm with a finger pointing directly at those viewing the poster. Usually this poster was to recruit soldiers and sailors for the military. Occasionally it was used to drum up business for US Savings Bonds or some other program of the Federal Government.
Too often the church’s vision of evangelism is not much different. You and I have probably all experienced someone at our door or on a street corner exhibiting an attitude about Christianity similar to what seems expressed in Uncle Sam posters. How attractive does such an approach “market” Christianity to you? Were you attracted to the church community using this form of “evangelism”?
The problem is the church too often thinks its task vis a vis evangelism is to attract people to their church. I am convinced this is not nor has it ever been the church’s call. After all, we are being called to follow a crucified leader….not initially an attraction! Yes, this one has been raised, but most folks often would prefer to skip the crucifixion part and just remain how they are, thank you very much! Most folks, particularly new to Christianity, need to be mentored and guided until they get a better understanding of such things as “dying and rising” in baptism and in Christian discipleship.
No, if we think what we or any church needs to do is attract people, we may be in trouble. The church is not called to be like flypaper. What the church is called to do is serve, not attract. In such service, however, many frequently become attracted. My go-to example is a Presbyterian church in Colorado Springs. Deciding to not worry about being all things to all people, this community saw itself as gifted to reach out to singles. All were welcome, but singles were to be their focus.
They developed an excellent divorce recovery program, a caring ministry to children caught up in divorce, and many programs for singles of all ages. With American families changing, they grew to about 6,000 members. Yearly I sent members from my Lutheran church in that community to be served by one or more of their ministries. This church was well-known throughout the city of Colorado Springs and began to receive national attention.
The above is, of course, a very atypical story. Most churches who put their emphasis on service do not experience anything on this scale. Yet it is important for a church to be known for some service given as part of their discipleship. . It provides both identity to the congregation and the community surrounding it.
In my time here what I have heard from people are two things we have been known for over the years. One is the former pre-school once on our property, the other is for being a “peace center”. Multiple times I have heard the story of a letter received simply addressed to “The Peace Center”, Tempe, with no address or mention of even Lutheran on the envelope.
What service might we be known for now? In the years ahead? We have a certain reputation for campus ministry on campus and around our synod. What might we be known for in serving the community of Tempe? What needs are there that match our gifts? It is good we have been working on such plans for our future. What gifts have we as a community been given? Where and how might we make best use of them in serving others?