The big three

What are folks looking for in a church today? Really. Are they looking for great music, praise bands on fire? Are they looking for quality programs for the kids, for senior ministries? Are they looking for challenging and relevant preaching? Well, probably all of the above -- if they are looking at all!

But what if they aren't looking? Or at least don't think of themselves as being interested in church. Is there something folks are looking for, though they may not even realize it on a conscious level? Michael Johnson of Breakthroughchurch thinks so. Whether unchurched folks know it or not, he believes, they're looking for what he calls the big three: Honor, Community, Affirmation.

By honor he conveys the idea of personal respect. People want to be accorded respect. His concept of Community suggests friendship, relationship, meaningful, purposeful and on-going engagement with others. Affirmation acknowledges the worth and genuine identity of the person. These relational keys should be second nature to Christian congregations. But are they? How readily to we offer respect to the stranger? What's the level of investment it requires to include outsiders in "our" community? Can we affirm those whose values and lifestyle may be different from our own?

Maybe it's time for a big three check-up.