I received an email the other day from someone at a church, asking me about cycling events in the community and how to get people involved. Over the years, I have received similar emails and inquiries asking the same question: how do we get people involved in the local community? It is a problem plaguing churches today. This post is meant to serve as a reminder and encouragement to those in the church. Our mission is twofold: to strengthen one another and to go out into the world.

First, many Christians fear the “outside” world, and that fear forces them to retreat. We often find “Christian Communes” to be a bit radical and ridiculous, but Christians today have their own pseudo-communes; it feels safe to always be around like-minded people. Who will disagree with that?

Many Christians get lost there and forget that Scripture calls us to engage people not like us and even when people are antagonistic. At the heart of the matter, I do not think people necessarily fear other people; I think people fear their own inadequacies. What if I cannot speak to a certain topic? What if I miss the opportunity to share the Gospel? What if I look like a fool? What if someone is smarter than me? What if I am cornered? Many ask themselves these questions, but it is important to see these questions are driven by fear and more importantly, pride!

Secondly, people are not permeating the world around them because the church is not permeating the world around them. Pastors, elders, teachers, deacons and deaconesses, etc. are content within the confines of a building without looking outward to a hurting and suffering world. We are kingdom minded people, not Kingdom minded, and that makes a huge difference. Our concern is for the small k kingdom of social circulars and “growth groups” without truly socializing and experiencing growth.

I want to offer a few tips to help those who truly want to see lives changed. First, what are passionate about? Is it running, cycling, reading, knitting, painting, sculpting? Search the local papers or Google places in your area where people are doing those things. They are out there; you just have to find them. If not, do you have the courage to start a group? By starting with something with which you are passionate, then you do not have to “find” something to talk about.

In many cases, listening more than talking is highly effective. In fact, that same principle is mentioned on more than one occasion in the Bible. Do not think you always have to have an answer or offer a rebuttal to a statement. Spend time listening to people and hear their story. It is far more enjoyable than thinking about the next wittiest, insightful thing to say. You have probably missed many great conversations doing that.

Do not be afraid to say, “I don’t know.” Practice humility. Show people that one does not have to know everything in order to be a Christian. Show them that God is bigger than you and me. That simple phrase will offer you more respect and better friendships than trying to rely on your own simple, inefficient tactics.

This post is meant to offer help and encouragement to those who want more from the Christian life than mundane routines. In other words, people want to live a life characterized by true heart change through the power of God’s Spirit. Do not fear men and the world. Fear living an unfulfilled life. Seek the Lord, and He will do more with your life than you can ever imagine! And remember, God is bigger than you and me, and His will is not hinder by our shortcomings; He uses them to reveal Himself all the more. Be encouraged that people’s salvation is not dependent on you; it is the work of the Lord alone. What will today look like? Time to get going!