Questions

“I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?” Mother Teresa

Tomorrow our Outside Church Walls group will gather for its monthly meeting. We will be blessed at this meeting to have a guest join us to share their perspectives on church. The unique thing about this guest, compared to others we have heard from, is that they are someone who is not connected to church at all.

Some people may wonder what someone who is not part of any church could teach our group. I am eager to hear, learn, and grow through our conversation, and know that I will have my eyes opened. The quote above, which is at the top of our agenda for the day, sums up why.

As Christians and church members, we seek to show the world Christ’s love. We hope to impact our communities in large and small ways, every day, by being the feet and hands of Christ. But how do we know whether we are really doing so? How can we learn how our beliefs and actions affect others outside the church?

It seems that to answer these questions, we must hear from people outside our circle. I am excited to hear the answers to questions such as: What kind of encounters do you have with churches and Christians? In what ways is your life impacted by the church? If a church were a valuable part of the community in which you live, what would that look like?

What questions would you want to ask?

Kelly