As I tear apart (or slowly digest) 7 Practices of Effective Ministry, one idea is very clear: North Point Community Church has intensely thought through who they are and what it is that they are to be doing. This chapter makes such thinking all the more precise. In emphasizing what NPCC is about, they emphasize the outsider's opinion over the person "in the pew" so to speak.
If we're trying to reach those who need Jesus, it would be pertinent to know what they think about such efforts. The authors aren't condoning pandering to popular opinion about God. But what is clear is that churches, lots of them, don't listen to outsiders or what it would take to get an outsider to come through the church door. It takes the insider. Invest and Invite is NPCC's mantra when it comes to reaching those far from God.
When you invite someone to church--a friend that you've cultivated a relationship with intentionally, and they tell you they're coming--you're going to intensely care about what's coming up for that Sunday: the message, the music, the extras. All of a sudden you, not the "experts" become the most important factor in bringing your friend closer to Christ.
When Southside speaks...who do we want to listen?
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