Sex: Female
1. Have you had any past experience attending a christian church? What was your experience like? (Please include the church denomination, if possible)
Answer: I have never attended a Christian church. (I was raised Eastern Orthodox/Greek ORTHODOX)
2. Have you had past experience with serving in a church? Where did you serve/what did you do?
Answer: I have never served in a church.
3. Why do you choose to not attend church regularly?
Answer: I choose to not attend church regularly because I was not brought up going to church regularly.
4. What are some issues you see in the christian church right now that may be keeping you from attending a church?
Answer: Some issues I see in the Christian church is that I feel as if the religion is almost being forced on to others that do not practice the Christian faith.
5. What is something, or some things, that you see the church is currently doing well?
Answer: I think that the Christian church does many things well; they help those in need and the church itself has many followers.
Answer: I think that the Christian church does many things well; they help those in need and the church itself has many followers.
6. Do you think there is any advantage to serving in a church and attending, rather than simply attending without serving in a ministry?
Answer: I think there is an advantage to attending and serving in a ministry; you're helping so many others in need!
Answer: I think there is an advantage to attending and serving in a ministry; you're helping so many others in need!
7. In your opinion, what should the church's role be in the community? How about in the world?
Answer: I think the church's role in the community should be simply a place where you go for answers, and to worship. Worldwide, I feel as if the church's role should be the same.
8. How would you describe Jesus?
Answer: I describe Jesus as the son of God.
Answer: I describe Jesus as the son of God.
9. Why do you think attending church is important to many people?
Answer: I think attending church is important to many because people want to practice their religion and keep a sense of tradition.
10. How could a local Christian church change, or what could they add, that would interest you in attending the church or getting involved?
Answer: I think the Christian church around my hometown could stop being so pushy. Having flyers sent to my house and having people going door to door is not going to want me to attend the church or
become more involved!
My Response:
I was a little surprised by my friend's gentleness and kindness in the way she answered these questions. I knew some of her religious background and I think I expected her to have more negative feelings toward the Church as a whole.
I love that she perceives the church as being a group of people that can provide wisdom, a safe place for worship, and help for those in need.
The only complaint my friend really had about the Christian church is that they can be pushy or attempt to force their religion on others. I agreed with her that flyers and door to door invitations are not really the most appealing ways for churches to draw more people into their congregation. I'm not exactly sure what her experience has been like with Christian churches. Maybe Christians have been pushy around her, unkindly trying to force their views into her belief system. Or maybe she hasn't had much interaction with the Christian church. The idea of Christians being pushy is a pretty well known stereotype. And we're not innocent of that in many cases, so it is possible that that is a mentality she's adopted from someone else.
I think my sweet friend's responses are so valuable and can provide a lot of insight into the way we do outreach and discipleship. Her final response about the door to door church people and flyers reminded me how important relational evangelism is. This friend of mine, though it's been years since we've spent time together, has always been very relationship focused. I love the way God uses relationships between people to bring his children back to him.
God, tonight I'm praying that you send someone who is nearby into my friend's life to build a great friendship. I pray that this relationship would open doors for her to hear the truth of the gospel. Lord, in this relationship may she meet a follower of Christ who loves and accepts her, even if she doesn't agree with them about faith. Do great things in the life of this girl who was such a great friend to me. Help me to love people unconditionally, to be patient, and to walk through doors of opportunity when they come, never shrinking back from a moment to speak truth and love into someone's life.
Answer: I think the Christian church around my hometown could stop being so pushy. Having flyers sent to my house and having people going door to door is not going to want me to attend the church or
become more involved!
My Response:
I was a little surprised by my friend's gentleness and kindness in the way she answered these questions. I knew some of her religious background and I think I expected her to have more negative feelings toward the Church as a whole.
I love that she perceives the church as being a group of people that can provide wisdom, a safe place for worship, and help for those in need.
The only complaint my friend really had about the Christian church is that they can be pushy or attempt to force their religion on others. I agreed with her that flyers and door to door invitations are not really the most appealing ways for churches to draw more people into their congregation. I'm not exactly sure what her experience has been like with Christian churches. Maybe Christians have been pushy around her, unkindly trying to force their views into her belief system. Or maybe she hasn't had much interaction with the Christian church. The idea of Christians being pushy is a pretty well known stereotype. And we're not innocent of that in many cases, so it is possible that that is a mentality she's adopted from someone else.
I think my sweet friend's responses are so valuable and can provide a lot of insight into the way we do outreach and discipleship. Her final response about the door to door church people and flyers reminded me how important relational evangelism is. This friend of mine, though it's been years since we've spent time together, has always been very relationship focused. I love the way God uses relationships between people to bring his children back to him.
God, tonight I'm praying that you send someone who is nearby into my friend's life to build a great friendship. I pray that this relationship would open doors for her to hear the truth of the gospel. Lord, in this relationship may she meet a follower of Christ who loves and accepts her, even if she doesn't agree with them about faith. Do great things in the life of this girl who was such a great friend to me. Help me to love people unconditionally, to be patient, and to walk through doors of opportunity when they come, never shrinking back from a moment to speak truth and love into someone's life.
Great questions Bonnie! It's really cool how you could talk to your friend about that and how sweet they were about it. :)
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