Do You Know Your “Why”?

By Danny Franks

Without a doubt, our what and how has changed and will continue to change. How we greet guests, what we do about communion, and how we move large groups of people into and out of worship are all necessary topics of discussion. But those what and how conversations will be easier as long as our why is clear.

Here is why we care for our guests: we want to remove every barrier that would keep them from clearly hearing the gospel. Does fear of the unknown make it difficult for a guest to come to your church? Then think through their experience before they arrive: clear signage, close parking, and friendly greeters let them know you expected them to come and you’re glad they did. Does the guest’s apprehension over organized religion keep them from hearing the gospel? Then design your service with the outsider in mind: don’t make them interpret insider language or detangle archaic traditions. Drop some bread crumbs throughout the service so that it’s easy for them to catch up and feel in the know. 

Besides the obvious benefits to our guests, having a clear why benefits three other groups of people:

1. Church staff and leadership.

Not long ago I was in an hour-long meeting to craft a sentence. One sentence. The reason it took so long is because that sentence would become the “pitch” for our staff to realize the importance of a new ministry. If our team doesn’t understand why an initiative exists, if they don’t understand the win, they’ll never become a champion…