Recently, Christian author and radio host Nancy Leigh DeMoss Wolgemuth made an interesting observation. She stated the American church used to be treated like the home team.
- The home team is cheered.
- The home team feels comfortable where it is based out of.
- The home team is surrounded by friends.
- The home team is supported when hard times come.
- The home team is often loved unconditionally.
- People think the best of their home team.
However, Nancy noted the American church is no longer the home team. The American church is now considered the road team. And the road team is afforded none of the advantages listed above.
I found Nancy’s observation quite interesting. As I began to think about her comments, the first thing I realized was she is right. American churches are no longer the home team. As described by the parameters above, we have to admit the American church is now the road team.
The second thing I realized is there are times when the road team is actually cheered and even loved. It was then I began a process of determining the reasons why some road teams are cheered and what applications there are to local churches.
For a case study, I selected the video shown above. On March 25, 1995, the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan, fresh from his brief stint in minor league baseball, defeated the Atlanta Hawks with a buzzer-beating shot. The opposing crowd cheers wildly as you will hear and see in the replays.
As I studied what made Jordan and the visiting Chicago Bulls so popular, I gleaned the following 5 Ways Your Church Can Start Being Loved By Its Community:
- Have A Leader People Love – Everything rises and falls on leadership. The Bulls were a popular road team because of Michael Jordan. There is a direct correlation between your church’s standing in the community and your pastor’s standing in the community. Pastors, you are your church’s Michael Jordan. Are you personally known and loved in your city? When the leader gets better, everyone wins.
- Deliver Ministry With Excellence For An Extended Period Of Time – It takes time to earn people’s trust and a loyal following. People are naturally skeptical and want to know if your church is for real. The Bulls were not initially popular on the road. The video above was taken after the Bulls had already won three NBA championships. Churches will become popular in their community by delivering ministry with excellence over an extended period of time.
- Deliver Ministry With Excellence Asking For Nothing In Return – The Bulls did not asked to be cheered. They did not asked to be loved. In fact, the Bulls came into cities simply looking to do their jobs, play well, overcome obstacles, and win. Churches who go into cities wanting to simply serve their communities while asking for nothing in return are the ones best positioned to have a significant impact.
- Reach Kids – The Gatorade commercial said, “Like Mike. I want to be like Mike.” Thousands of children asked their parents to take them to see Jordan and the Bulls. If churches reach children, they will also reach their parents.
- Make People Feel Loved – People will forget what you say. They will never forget how you made them feel. You loved watching the Bulls and Jordan prior to his retirement and remembering the joy it brought. So when he returned, you could not wait to cheer him once again. And when something happens in a person’s life which causes them to come back to church, allow them to feel the love of Jesus. Make attending your church feel like coming back home.
So pastor or church leader, if you are tired of feeling like a road team in your own hometown, be a great leader, deliver ministry with excellence over an extended period of time asking for nothing in return, reach kids, and make people feel loved. By doing this, you will be embraced and loved by your community.
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