Does the church value people?

Yesterday in a very interesting post, Todd Rhoades who writes at Monday Morning Insight, contrasted Wal-Mart and the Church. Here is his post:

What is the price or value of a soul? $215,000. That’s the price that Wal-mart has put on each of their customers. A couple weeks ago, I happened upon a documentary on CNBC about the inner workings of Wal-mart. It was a very interesting program. One of the main things that stood out to me is that Wal-mart has done extensive research into their business. If, for example, I go into my local Wal-mart store and get bad service; can’t find what I need; have to wait in the checkout line too long; or anything else that really makes me upset, Wal-mart knows that they have a lot to lose. In fact, they’ve calculated the value of what I’m worth to them. If I get mad at Wal-mart and never return, I have just cost the company (on average) $215,000. That’s how much sales they have figured they will lose from the average customer over their lifetime if they don’t come back...

Wal-mart puts a high value on me and every other person and family in my community.

Many churches, on the other hand, seemingly couldn’t care less about the people in their community. Sure, we give them lip service, but when it really comes down to reaching our target, many of us are too busy arguing about carpet color, worship styles, and how much to ‘give’ to missions in Africa, all the while missing the main point of reaching our own community for Christ.

Wal-mart provides diapers and socks and hemorrhoid cream for a profit.

The church offers eternal life and salvation for free.

Shouldn’t our communities know we value them at least as much as Wal-mart?

Amen! So why don't churches value people more? I think it is because churches become insider focused. It is hard work to be focused on others. It is hard work to focus on people outside the walls of the church. But we must. It is our mission given to us by Jesus Christ. We must reach people with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Here are a couple of questions that keep haunting me:

Are we too insider focused at First Christian in Wray? Do we value those outside the church? Do we do anything to make them feel valued?

Eating the Elephant

I am reading a great book called Eating the Elephant: Leading the Established Church to Growth. This is a quote from my reading today:

...the empirical evidence, from a variety of different sources, points to the fact that a pastor's most productive years often begin after their seventh year.

On November 1 of this year, I will begin my 5th full year of ministry here in Wray. A quote like the one above excites me! I hope it does you as well. What if we the best years are yet to come for First Christian Church here in Wray? What if we have only begun to experience a little taste of what God wants to accomplish with our church?

I am praying for God to do great things here in Wray. I am praying that many people will come to know Jesus Christ through our ministry here. Will you join me in praying for the many people who need to know Jesus in Wray?