Attractional Church?

The silly things church “experts” argue about!

If you’ve been in Christian circles for a time, you have probably heard the criticism of attractional churches. Usually, those comments compare what is called “missional” churches with “attractional” churches.

I’ve never been one to engage in theoretical dialog among Christian leaders, and I don’t read a lot of the material in periodicals and websites discussing church trends. I already have enough on my plate. So I honestly don’t know the definitions of attractional and missional in those worlds. As best I can tell, the debate is between “Come and see” and “Go and tell.” Attractional churches want people to come and hear the Gospel at church. Missional churches want church people to go and tell others about Jesus in their circles outside of church.

I don’t get the argument. We really try to go after both. We want people to come and see, and we want you to go and tell. So maybe we are both attractional and missional?

I think the biggest criticism of the attractional model is that some churches, in their zeal to reach everyone and not offend, make compromises on what the Bible teaches. Secular ideals that contradict Scripture are never addressed, and are even sometimes accommodated. Things like sin and hell are ignored in favor of pop psychology.

If you’ve been here for any length of time, you know that doesn’t describe The Bridge. :-)

And truthfully, some of the most attractive churches I’ve been to have also offered some of the most accurate and challenging Bible teaching.

But can you imagine our church being unattractive? Would you be here if we were? There is so much in the New Testament that reminds us to be living and ministering in a way that brings favor. Our lives should attract people to Jesus. And our church should conduct itself in a way that attracts, as well. All of us should want our church to be attractive.

But I would hate to hear anyone say about The Bridge, “They are not missional.” I’ve been passionate about Jesus’ mission since first hearing and responding to the Gospel over four decades ago! We do our best to remind you, almost weekly, that the Great Commission is for you, and Jesus wants you to be a witness.

So is The Bridge an attractional or missional church? Well, if we are truly missional, in how I understand the word, we will also strive to be attractional. We should want people to know Jesus, whether they learn about Him by invitation or by personal witness. For most people who come to Christ, it takes both. So we actively invite people to come and see. And we encourage you to go and tell. I wouldn’t have it any other way!