Rules without Relationship

"Rules without relationship always leads to rebellion. The only thing that tethers us is Love."

Coincidentally, I heard this on the radio right after I left a story about a church closing. I spoke with a young man who works with a group called Dirty Vagabond Ministries, and he said he focuses on teen outreach by visiting teens where they are, developing a relationship and" earning the right" to minister to them. For example, he goes to sporting events and to bus stops to bring the kids snacks before school and try to build rapport.
It's better than just bringing them in the church and preaching at them, he said, and that's not what Jesus did. He didn't have Bible studies and seminars, He went to people where they were.

Those words really resonated with me - his idea of building a relationship and letting ministry develop naturally. I think he's right. Ultimately, people just want to feel loved.

I've been really reflecting upon what draws people to a church and what keeps people in a church. We're in a trendy, superficial society that needs bells and whistles to catch people's attention. Ur church needs to have a Web site, and a text message sermon and a live Web stream and needs to be televised. You need to have lyrics posted on projectors and announcements via video and a ministry for every single population - the ski club ministry and the pet ministry and the married with kids ministry and the married without kids ministry, etc etc etc.

What if you have a smaller church that can't compete? (Because let's face it, times are tough, we got bills to pay so we need butts in seats, and it is a competition.) OK, to be more accurate, what if you have a smaller church that is simply fighting to sustain itself? I've been to big churches. It turned me off one day when I had to sit in the "overflow room" and watch church on TV.  I could've done that at home - without having to pay an offering.

I guess you just have to wait for people to mature to a point where they realize that flashing lights are less important than finding a place where you feel the Love of God.

And all you need for that is...well, somewhere that teaches the full gospel of Christ. Doesn't matter the size of the sanctuary or the amenities they offer.

"The only thing that tethers us is Love."