Creating an attractive community of faith by Daniel Caldwell and Paul Cawley

There has been much talk about how church should look in the 21st Century. This has prompted a debate about how the emerging church should be shaped and what values should underlay that process.

Much has been written that polarises these two positions as “attractional” versus “missional/incarnational”.

“Attractional” church at its core is concerned primarily with changing the internal perspectives to “make church attractive” so that others will join. This is best demonstrated by the move within churches to create a comfortable environment which provides the invitation “come and see” and has driven the need for professionalism in all that we do.

“Missional” communities of faith are based around a ‘go live’ mentality, with people engaging in ‘mission’ where life is lived.

An “attractional” concept of church bases the interactions of corporate faith around events in church, while “missional” thinking emphasises the relationship between people. It’s not so much about putting on a good show to attract people, as being a caring community of people living out a relevant humanity-focused lifestyle.

I believe people coming to church should have a great experience. They should meet people, diverse in age, backgrounds, race and beliefs. They should encounter a community of faith that is more interested in the process and journey of relationship than the concept of hosting an event.

I can see why people like events based models. Some individuals love events and conferences, believing they offer an opportunity to engage with God instantaneously.

This can under value the process of faith. Process is about the long haul. We need a greater understanding that faith may be produced in a moment but is worked out in the daily engagement of life.

“Attractional” church ultimately boils down to providing people with a quality event with the view to attracting and keeping them. I believe this model has failed and will fail the church in the future because it reduces our ability to be relevant and ultimately to be human.

People crave authenticity. This current generation craves reality. They want a community of faith that doesn’t put on a show but is real.

When we strip away our lights, our stages and even our sermons, after the event only relationship will engage people in the things of faith. Humanity is drawn to humanity; to each other’s successes, struggles, doubts and fears.

We no longer want church that sticks to the script. We want it to be real; to show the good and the bad. Not so much to put on a show as to create an environment and community that welcomes questions, encourages doubters and ultimately reflects Jesus. The church is us. We’re not perfect, yet we’re all the world has.

The church is full of broken, flawed humanity strewn together by the bonds of faith, hope and love, all on a journey towards Christ and to reveal God to the world. To paraphrase Ed Stetzer and David Putman in ‘Breaking the Missional Code’ (2006):

Instead of creating services, may the church serve; instead of programmes may we start processes. May we move from “attractional” to incarnational. May we move from professionals to passionate participants; from formula to freedom and from ordered to organic.

Bishop Graham Cray said: "The church must always be willing to die to its own cultural comfort in order to live where God intends it to be." If we’re honest, we like our structure, our services and how we do church. However, for some of us it’s not working. We need to realise, that the church is not here for us.

Erwin McManus explains: “We are the church. The church is not here for us. We are the church and we are here for the world.”

We have the exciting mission of living the incarnation. Being the hands, feet and mouthpiece of Jesus; bringing the kingdom to earth, to humanity, to our school, colleges and workplaces. Ending the performance. Praying. Listening. Starting a conversation with our community, engaging them with destiny, justice, faith, hope and love. Living missionally. Living attractive lives of faith. Bringing the Kingdom on earth.

A collaboration between Daniel Caldwell, Principal of Carraig Eden Theological College and Paul Cawley, a member of the Leadership team at Greystones Community Church.

Join The Conversation:
What do you think church should look like in the 21st Century? Has the ‘attractional’ model failed? What will authentic faith communities look like? Post your comments and questions below.