There have been several recent events that have allowed me to think about evangelism, more specifically how Christians embrace the community they live in and the non-believers around them.  Honestly, I made myself a little angry at some of the observations I made.  See if you agree with me…

1. I recently heard of a church planning a summer camp for their kids and their unchurched friends.  I might be going crazy but I am not sure how many of those unchurched parents will send their unchurched kids to that CHURCH camp for a week chaperoned by a bunch of CHURCH people that they may or may not know.  
2. I heard of another church that decided to do away with their Vacation Bible School program to begin a Kid’s Summer Worship Program.  I understand that many of you believe that VBS is not as relevant and needs to be jacked up to the 21st century.  I agree 100%.  But, if you have several decisions for Christ every year during VBS, why would you not do the necessary “upgrade” and move forward?  How many kids understand or care to understand what worship is unless they are church kids?  Honestly, worship is not the easiest concept for our “church” kids either. 
3. I am so sick of churches adopting “churchy” charities in the community.  Follow me on this one:  A Christian group starts an after-school program for at-risk kids.  As it grows, it needs more funds and more volunteers to work with the kids.  Which do you think is easier for Christians to do?  That’s right…give the money.  Have a concert and raise money or take a special “love offering”.  Do not get me wrong, I am not bashing these efforts.  BUT, I want you to think about when the last time you heard of a church raising funds or being openly generous to women that are HIV positive.  Or, how often do you see churches open their doors to at-risk kids of another race?  We just let Oprah or Dr. Phil work with those special cases.    

I could go on and on.  And some of you are asking, what in the crap does that have to do with evangelism?  Well, that is part of the problem.  Look at the missed opportunities in just the three items I mentioned.  Sometimes we choose to throw money out to a problem rather than roll up our sleeves and help out.  Sometimes we abandon what might be working rather than continue to make it more relevant as time goes along.  Sometimes we try to convince ourselves that we are doing the right thing because it sounds good to our own church people.   

I am just not sure if we are strategic enough as Christians.  Look at all the missed opportunities to reach people in our community.  Need I say more.  Think back over the past few months…how many opportunities have you missed?