We’re all "seekers"

My church is doing a series that is targeted particularly towards those who perhaps aren't yet Christians or attend church regularly. I think this is a good thing and have been surprised recently to find that there are some people I know who don't agree and I never would've guessed it. I haven't gotten into the specifics of why they feel that way exactly with them, but I can imagine what some of those reasons may be. I was involved in a campus ministry in college and always felt uneasiness each year when it came time for the campus activity fair. Something about sitting at a booth and trying to sign up new members like it was just another club didn't seem right. Or, staking out the front of the library and hassling people who at best viewed you as a nuisance and at worst felt embarrassed or guilty to ignore you. I think that perhaps they may see things like publicizing this new series with door hangers or mailings or special invites as maybe tarnishing an image somehow.

I kind have to come to the conclusion that those that view "church people" as a nuisance are going to feel that way whether we do these things to try and reach them or not, so why not try? They also might be feeling that targeting this segment of people will lead to a church that is only concerned with getting people in the door and doesn't deepen their understanding once they're there. To that I'd say, 1) have faith in your leadership that they won't let this happen, and 2) I don't think you can ever become so "advanced" in your spiritual journey that it won't help you go back to the "basics."

The other thing that I've had on my mind is perhaps a matter of semantics, or perhaps bothers no one but me, but since I've moved to Nashville I've encountered a term that I had never heard before ( no, I don't mean "fixin to", "might can", or "toboggan") "un-churched." I don't know the origin of this word. Seems to me it could either be a old-timey or southern slang word for those that don't attend church, or, it could be someone's attempt at a politically correct turn of phrase to replace a more derogatory term. I think the reason that I cringe every time that Pete uses the word is that to me "un-churched" implies that there are two groups of people, the "churched" and the "un-churched." Since we are sitting in a church, obviously we must think that being "churched" is the way to go and therefore being "un-churched" is bad. As Christians, of course we are inclined to believe that the state of being apart from God is bad and we want those people to find God. Calling someone "un-churched" is just too close to calling someone "unclean" too me. If I were a person unfamiliar with Christianity and seeking some answers and sat at a service where I was referred to as being "unchurched", I don't know that I'd stay.

And that brings me to another word - "seeker." Also, up until now I had never heard the term "seeker church." From what I can tell, this kind of has a negative connotation. A seeker church seems to refer to churches that do everything they can to attract as many people as possible, usually who have no prior experience with Christianity. Usually they are very large, promote and advertise themselves very well, have all the bells and whistles, charismatic leaders, youth-oriented, contemporary worship, big budget, but little actual fellowship, discipleship or service takes place. I did attend a place like this once in Nashville and didn't go back because it felt a little cold and unauthentic for my taste.

The thing is, I'm willing to bet that most people in places like that truly have the best of intentions. I also bet that the person who first coined that phrase "seeker" really was just trying to describe the people that they felt the Lord truly wanted us as a universal church to reach out to. Those people who are seeking something more. And the thing is, I don't think that once we've accepted the Gospel message that we cease to be seekers. Just like in the education field they talk a lot about creating "lifelong learners," Christians are lifelong seekers.

Sorry for the incoherent ramblings. They're not intended to be a rant, just an outlet for my thoughts and opinions. Feel free to comment if you agree, disagree, or just want to throw a rotten tomato at me.