The (Real*) Reason You Don't Bring Friends to Church

Here’s a reason that we don’t bring friends to church, one that we don’t talk about and will never admit to our pastors: our church is weird. It’s okay, I can say that. I’m a church person. I’ve grown up in church. I’ve been a part of some weird churches. They’re fine for you because you’re used to it, but you love your friends too much to expose them to it.

It’s like taking your friends to a family reunion. You’ll never do it. Why? Because you have friends that you genuinely like. And you have a family that you don’t like all the time but you’re stuck with. And you’ll never bring your friends to a family reunion because you love your friends too much to expose them to that level of crazy.

Sometimes church can feel like a crazy family reunion. It’s a little weird, it’s not super fun, and it smells. But it’s family and you’re stuck with them.

When church feels like a crazy family reunion, newcomers won’t stick around. They’re not family. Here’s what I know: people today are genuinely searching for hope. They’re searching for Christ. They need a church to go to that will welcome them and not freak them out.

Want to get people to bring their friends to your church? Make sure it’s welcoming, from the second they step out of their car in the parking lot. Make sure it’s fun. Church doesn’t have to be as somber as a funeral service. It’s very possible to have fun without compromising the sanctity of the gospel. Make sure church is helpful. When the preacher talks about something that doesn’t apply, people check out. Save the sermons on the tabernacle for Sunday nights or Wednesday nights. On Sunday mornings, make sure that church is helpful.

Want new folks to come to your church and stick around? Make sure your church doesn’t feel like a crazy family reunion.

QUESTION: What do you think? Am I off base here?