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Trying to Attract People to Your Church with Grace?

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To get the greatest benefit from this practicum, make sure you have read related training on the site. Click below to read about Christ-Like Character:

Let’s face it: We live in a fallen world where people make bad choices. We all sin. You might have experienced how speaking out against immoral, sinful behavior pegs you as intolerant in today’s world. To combat this reputation, some churches swing the pendulum in the opposite direction, covering over sin as though it doesn’t matter. How, they might reason, are they going to grow their church if they don’t accept people as they are? Grace attracts people. Calling sin “sin” repels people.

Make no mistake, grace is good (Rom. 5:17; 1 Cor. 1:4; Eph. 1:6). Grace is foundational to salvation (Eph. 2:8-9; 2 Tim. 1:9) and our walk with God (1 Cor. 15:10; Titus 2:11-13). Grace must be taught and proclaimed (Acts 20:24; Col. 1:16). We, the Church, are to be dispensers of God’s grace (1 Pet. 4:10). Grace is a Christ-like quality (Jn. 1:14, 17).

But, let’s be careful not to be imbalanced. While grace is a Christ-like quality, so is truth.  “Jesus came full of grace AND truth” (Jn 1:14). Jesus did eat with sinners. He accepted them as people but never gave the impression that He condoned their sin.

Jesus Demonstrate Grace & Truth with Woman Caught in Adultery
Think of the woman brought to Jesus who was caught in adultery. To her accusers Jesus said, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” When they all left, Jesus asked, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? . . . Then neither do I condemn you . . . Go now and leave your life of sin” (Jn. 8:3-11). Jesus responded with BOTH grace AND truth!

In giving the command to make disciples (Matt. 28:18-20), Jesus made it clear that the intent was not merely conversions but helping people become fully devoted followers of Him … people who would not only believe but also obey ALL He commanded. We should therefore want quantitative church growth but also work toward the qualitative aspect as well which requires both grace AND truth.

In addition to the content on this page, the Steering the Church Toward Christ-like Character Leadership Guide asks a few questions about where you are on the spectrum of grace and truth.

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3 Replies to “Trying to Attract People to Your Church with Grace?”

  1. I’m interested with all the teachings your have here. Grace and Truth is what I’m looking for. The church has become so religious. I want spiritual truths. Please include me in your prayers. God bless! Rene

    • Hello, Rene. We would be glad to pray for you. Jesus Himself said “true worshipers will worship the Father in the spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” (Jn. 4:23). He is not looking for mere religious activity but rather wants to relate with us on a deeper level — not mere outward conformity but inward transformation rooted in grace and truth, spirit and truth, love and truth … all ways Scripture words it. As the Church, we need both, not one or the other.

  2. Indeed…Thank you for this Truth and the Grace so freely given by the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of our savior Jesus Christ.

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