So the good folks over at ChurchMarketingSucks  have been doing a pretty interesting "semi-series" on leaving and finding a church home.   With all the stuff going on in the lives of my friends and church family, I found this whole series pretty fascinating and the third installment, posted last week, really hit me square between the eyes and got me thinking. C.M.S. took a poll on what keeps people coming back to a church.  Per their findings:

• 32% said overall authenticity of everyone involved
• 27% said their decision would be based on the preaching of the Pastor
• 15% said they would come back based on the membership
• 12% said solid worship music
• 5% said they focus on what the church does for their kids
• 2% were concerned with programs
• 7% said "Something Else"
  
  You can read the full article at C.M.S. by going here.

32% of decisions are made based solely on the attitudes and mindsets of the people that come in contact during the visiting experience. All I have to say is Whoa!  It shakes the core of fundamental thought on how to interact and engage visitors. Just imagine what an impact a truly authentic congreation of 500 could make on a community!

I am relucntantly helping in the worship ministry team at my place of worship during a transition between leaders.   It has been a trying and difficult endeavor to say the very least.   If the Lord were not so gracious and the people I serve alongside so good at what they did, it would be nearly impossible to do what we do each week.   I've been on stage doing the "leader talk" for two weeks. It is not a place I enjoy being despite my love of the stage.   I am not a professional. So often I am fearful. I prefer being silly, hiding as a made up character, or standing with the rest of the choir.  For now, I don't have that luxury. Despite all of my shortcomings, both weeks people have come up to me and thanked me. I want to ask them why thank me? I am greatful for their thoughts but seriously, I am just a guy using my talents to praise the Lord and help my church family. Don't thank me, find your place and plug in. Make a difference wherever you are. That is what I want to say. I might just start doing it.

That get's me back to my point.  It's not the music, the sermons, the color of the carpet or the specific programs that keep people coming to church.   Yes, to be perfectly honest that is often a reason why they make the first step in the door but it will not keep them there.  It is authenticity and the preaching of truth that will get over 59% of folks to return to your church and get them engaged as long term disciples.   If you are plugging in and letting God work with your gifts then you are going to be authentic and that very authenticity will help you be a living witness to the powerful goodness of Jesus whom you are serving.

Authenticity is not easy. I know this first hand.  Day by day, I learn to keep the masks off and to live my life openly by the guidance of my Lord Jesus.   Ironically, It is hardest to keep the mask off when standing before his people and leading them in praise.  It is a vulnerable place to be authentic on a stage before others – it can be tender, frightening and humiliating at times.   Like most things our Savior calls us to, it so often hurts but it is so worth it.  I may sing the tenor part perfect on every song for a year of Sundays but if I am disingenuous it will only be a performance.   

Without authenticity it is all just another show. With authenticity lives can be changed and a focus on the Christ can be ushered into a life.  When one life is touched, then all the pain and all the fear is worth it.  That is why we must keep being authentic about who He is, who we are in Him and what He says must be done to come to him.   If we get those three thoughts down, then we'll be well on our way to figuring the rest of life out.

Signing Off For Now,

THE MATTCHEWS