Like a Good Neighbor
Six keys to improve your church's reputation within the community.
John Beukema
April 1, 2003
My neighbor bicycled past me as I walked the two blocks to the church office. I wasn't too surprised when he ignored my greeting. He had never been too cheerful. Across the street from the high school, he got off his bicycle and began to pick up several pop cans that littered the sidewalk. How nice, I thought as he put them in the basket hanging from his handlebars. Then he walked the bicycle across the street, put down the kickstand, and threw each of those cans onto the front lawn of the high school with obvious disgust. Is that how he also feels about our church? I wondered. Had we been a bad neighbor in any way? Later that month I met with the elders of another church that was searching for a senior pastor. I asked, "If I went to three houses in your neighborhood, knocked on the door, and asked what they think of your church, what do you imagine they would say?" Puzzled looks crossed their faces. One responded, "What do you mean, 'What do they think?'" Their attitude was one of indifference, as if it didn't matter what anyone outside the walls thought about the church. But it's a question worth considering. It isn't safe to assume you know what your community reputation truly is. Cultivating a reputation that glorifies God takes work. Becoming a church of good repute requires these six keys. What do our neighbors see?
A decade before I came on staff, our church grew concerned about drug deals and car thefts occurring in the parking lot. After much discussion, a seven-foot iron fence was constructed across the front of the church property. The gates were padlocked except during service times. This did indeed stop the parking lot from being used for unholy purposes. It also loudly communicated that we wanted little to do with ...
Please complete one of the following:
If you're a Leadership journal subscriber...
...but have not yet registered for online access to CTLibrary.com, you can receive a full-year's access for just $29.95!
Register Here | | If you're NOT a Leadership journal print subscriber...
You're entitled to a special, introductory offer for new subscribers only! Subscribe now and receive a one-year Leadership journal print subscription and one-year access to all Leadership archives for just $39.95!
Subscribe now!
When you log in as a Leadership Journal subscriber, you'll see additional articles noted as premium content only available to CTLibrary.com members. To access the entire CTLibrary requires a CTLibrary subscription. If you would prefer this option, select the offer below that best fits your needs.
|
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 18,013 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
