I’m biased.
I love our church. I would be a part of Buckhead Church even if I didn’t work here. I plead guilty. I love this place.
And yet, there is something that bothers me.
Let me take you back a few Sunday nights ago and see if I can explain. It was Sunday, December 6, and we were in Part 3 of An Unexpected Christmas. The opening song and music were incredible. Andy’s message was amazing. I walked around the church and, in doing so, heard some powerful stories about what God is doing in your lives and the lives of your friends.
I spent about 14 hours at Buckhead Church that day. It was a great, rewarding experience and I was very encouraged.
And then it happened.
As I pulled away from the building, so excited about the day, I saw this:
I saw Buckhead. And I was reminded of a sobering truth. As excited as I was over what happened at church that day, MOST of Buckhead had no clue. MOST of Buckhead and the surrounding community were still no closer to a growing relationship with Jesus than when the day began.
This bothered me. It bothered me so much that I took a picture of it as a reminder. But as the days progressed and a New Year drew near, I thought, I shouldn’t keep this quiet. I want this to bother you too.
It bothers me that there are still more unchurched people than ever before just ten miles from the front door of the church that you and I call home. This has bothered me so much that I have spent a lot of time thinking about what to do. And I think I have an idea that might be worth exploring. Granted, it’s not the most original or creative idea, but it actually might be the best one to pursue . . . at least at first. Okay, here it is:
I want us as a church to begin 2010 with a 21-day journey of prayer and fasting. Now, before you click delete or leave the Web page, hang with me for a second (details are coming).
It’s my experience that, generally speaking, many Christians aren’t investing in unbelievers. If we’re not careful, we will drift into holy huddles of believers and isolate ourselves. Maybe we just don’t know how to bridge the gap and begin a conversation about Jesus. So we immerse ourselves in our daily lives and soon we aren’t spending time with anyone who isn’t already a follower of Jesus. I just don’t want us to drift into that danger zone. After all, one of the reasons Buckhead Church exists is as a resource for you to use to reach those who are far from God.
The good news is that our church continues to grow. The bad news is that the number of the unchurched in Buckhead is growing faster. This bothers me.
But what if that trend could change in 2010? What if each of us prayed and became burdened for at least one person in our circles of influence? What if we prayed and fasted, becoming more burdened for this community than ever before? What might happen?
Honestly, I don’t know what would happen. But I do know that I would like to find out. If you would like to find out, as well, and are interested in joining me on this 21-day journey, simply check back over the next few days on the Buckhead Church blog. Things are about to change drastically on the blog as we prepare for this journey together. You will receive details about how to fast, how we can pray, and much more, including info on our Night of Worship on Thursday, January 21. This will be an incredible night as we end our fast, worship, celebrate, and pray together.
Okay, that’s all. Thanks for listening. As we’ve often said, “It’s not about Buckhead Church. It’s about Buckhead.” And until this community hears the great news about Jesus, I will remain bothered.
I hope you will too.
Happy New Year!
Jeff
Thanks Jeff for sharing this. Means a lot.
Jeff,
Thank you for sharing your heart on this! I agree completley! Love BC and want to love Buckhead more. One of the reasons I started attending buckhead church when it opened is because I wanted a church where I knew I could invite people who didn’t attend any church to go with me and they wouldn’t feel out of place. Then I found myself so busy at church, I wansn’t inviting anyone, much less investing in relationships outside of those at church. This past year I’ve been challenged to break out of that mindset/mold and its been awesome! Thanks for the encouragement to continue. Love the thought of corporate prayer and fasting for those we pass by every day.
Good stuff Jeff, I know I need to be challenged on a regular basis to take drastic measures both to grow in relationship with God and to ask God for direction and follow his leading in reaching those around me.
At work we’ve been talking about the book “About My Father’s Business” which is a simple but great read about how to take small steps in relationships with those around you to spur them in their next step towards Jesus.
Jeff, thanks for sharing your heart on this. For me, it’s easier than it should be to ignore some of the most important things… fasting is scary to me. It’d be easy for me to ignore your challenge, but I’m actually very interested. What better way to begin 2010– I’d much rather begin it with prayer and fasting over resolutions I fail to keep!!
Buckhead Church is an incredible resource for those who are far from God. I love inviting people to be a part of what is happening here. “What if each of us prayed and became burdened for at least one person in our circles of influence? What if we prayed and fasted, becoming more burdened for this community than ever before? What might happen?” … I agree. I have no idea what would happen, but I want to find out.
Amen – really refreshing to read this, especially such a prosperous church to be rooted in the first and most important mission of them all.
Jeff, this is a great reminder to all churches all across America. I’m interested in seeing where this goes in my neck-of-the-woods.
Powerful stuff, Jeff. Way to keep it in perspective.
I’m in!
So glad to read this! And excited about the fast to come. God Bless!
[...] to have this passion. Read this appeal from Jeff Henderson to the members of Buckhead [...]
Andy — thanks man. Appreciate your encouragement!
Renee — You’re right. It’s so easy to get busy and forget to invite people. Thanks for realizing this and investing in people this year. 2010 is going to be great!
Brian — I think Regi’s book is great. Thanks for the comment and for agreeing to be a part of this.
Chelle – thanks! I’ll be sharing some fasting resources in a few days. It will be challenging but also one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. I promise.
Randall — thanks for the encouragement!
Kevin – let me know if you do this. It would be great to join in with other churches.
John — thanks for being an early adopter!!
More details will soon be on the way.
Danny — thanks so much!
Suzanne – me too. Thanks for choosing to be a part of this!
people want to be around those who are like them. one must break forth from this mentality and extend the love of christ. bring 2 unchurched friends. doesn’t have to be the same day and they don’t have to know each other. keep casually asking and showing kindness. get caught being jesuslike.
Jeff,
Love this post and the heartbeat of BC! Here on the Southside, we are going into 2010 doing the “Just Ask” series and focusing on reaching the 100,000 unchurched in our community. We will pray and fast with you guys and trust God to do amazing things.
Thanks for setting the pace for us and for making my brother Curt feel comfortable on Sunday night at BC.
Chris P.
Chris – that’s great. We’d love for you and Southside to join us. We will be praying for the 100,000 in Peachtree City too!
Merry Christmas!
Jeff
Even those in your church don’t know the gospel. I’ve met with many many folks from buckhead church and frankly I don’t think they even know the message of salvation. I am single and have had the luxury of going out on first dates with many attractive women from your churh, without exception I was asked my sign, and when basic scriptural questions were asked, it was an empty stare in return. Start preaching the gospel my friend, create conviction, your church should be half the size it is now, because many would leave the minute the holy spirit begins to convict. What your church is right now is a sunday meet market. I’ve even sat in the hall on a crowded day and watched as gay men trolled for each other, leaving right after the music. Preach brother, we don’t need anymore joel olsteens
Lee – thanks for the comment. Here are some thoughts:
Why is it that you think the Holy Spirit = less people? What is so unattractive about the Holy Spirit? The second chapter of Acts presents a completely different perspective, especially verse 6. The crowd doesn’t decrease. It only increases. The thinking that less people is better and more Godly simply doesn’t jive with the story of the early church. Nor the Gospel. Ephesians 3: 6 – 12. Also, it’s my experience that people are drawn to the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who wants to deal with their sin, because while sin may be attractive at first, it destroys in the end. Most people trapped in sin know this and they are desperately searching for a way to deal with their sin. The Holy Spirit doesn’t show up to scare them off, because The Holy Spirit is the Only One who can deal with their sin.
Finally, if you find yourself in a dinner conversation with someone who doesn’t know the Lord, then that’s wonderful. Share the news of Christ with them. Instead of criticizing preachers, be one. It’s an incredible opportunity.
Here’s what I think. I think we’re on the same team. Maybe that was God’s plan the whole time. Maybe God used Buckhead Church to plant the seed, and you get to water it. It’s not a new concept, but it’s one that works: 1 Corinthians 3:6, 7.
Thanks,
Jeff
God’s timing is AMAZING! I have been burdened for a lost friend of mine for over a year. She has been wanting to visit the church, but hasn’t made it yet. At the same time, I’ve felt VERY strongly that I need to start a fast from sugar. Then, today, I read this blog message. Leaves me in awe. I can’t wait to hear more about this united journey!
Lee:
You think churches should be holy huddles or places where you can find unsaved people as well as saved?
Have you ever heard Jeff preach, or do you just interview hot women to form your opinions?
Come check it out, I think you’d like it, and I think you’d be surprised…
Any details on the fast?
Akash – yes, details are coming on Wednesday’s blog entry. Thanks!
Erin – that’s great. Thanks for joining in on the fast.
Jeff
Today I read this article and scripture post and thought of our fast, wanting it to be the one the Lord desires. Looking forward to what He will do!
http://takeyourvitaminz.blogspot.com/2009/12/anybody-seen-pati.html
Thanks Katie!
Jeff
I am joining you on a “Daniel” fast in an effort to draw closer to God and in hope of drawing others into relationship with God, through Buckhead Church, which is near and dear to my heart. Amen!
we’re in! My husband and I are all in! Thank you for the encouragement to do such things – not sure we would have taken the time to really think and pray through it, but you have motivated us! I am excited and thrilled to see Gods work through this!
Happy New Year!
Jeff, thanks or sharing your convictions. As Martin Luther famously said, “To go against conscience is neither right nor safe.”
These are my thoughts after reading your post:
You stated that what bothers you is “that there are still more unchurched people than ever before just ten miles from the front door of the church that you and I call home” and then, “The good news is that our church continues to grow. The bad news is that the number of the unchurched in Buckhead is growing faster. This bothers me.”
I think what confuses me about what you’re saying is not knowing why it’s specifically the “unchurched” that are your burden. The way you use the word “unchurched” throughout makes it sound synonymous with “unsaved” which obviously is a distinctly different idea. And if I had to pick between the two as to which ought to weigh heavier – it would be the unsaved. Then, when feeling that you have to clarify that “It’s not about Buckhead Church”, only exacerbates the problem for me.
I believe what causes Lee and many others to lash out is seeing popularity associated with the Gospel. Especially after reading scriptures like Luke 6:26, Matthew 10:21, Romans 8:16, Phillipians 1:29, 2 Timiothy 1:8, ect.
Though high numbers do raise red flags, I cannot prove from Scripture that a church should never consist of more than three hundred or so people, but I would argue that a church which is so big that the pastor who preaches cannot know every member by name, and something about their daily lives, needs, and struggles, is a church where the pastor cannot easily fulfill the obligations of a biblical shepherd of God’s flock. Put bluntly, I want to be in a church where my absence on Sunday will soon be noticed and where the pastor or elders can draw alongside me and ask the pertinent questions. I want to be in a church where the eldership takes note if my behavior towards others is sub-par on a Sunday (hinting at much worse in private). I want to be in a church where I pray for the leadership and where they pray for me—not just in a generic sense of being part of the membership, but informed prayer based on real relationships. In other words, I want to be in a church where my pastor is, well, my pastor and not just that guy who is preaching over there in the distance on a Sunday morning. Put yourself in a small, faithful church, and the pastor is more than likely to hold you accountable to the basics of Christian belief and practice. (In addition, from my experience of currently being in a BC small group and my roommate being the leader, the argument that small groups are designed to suffice as that accountablity is not a valid arguement.)
As it’s said, “Buckhead Church is a church for the unchurched.” However, I am strongly convinced that the church is for the church. We are His beloved and He is ours. Without any harshness or irrational lashing out, I will continue to be grieviously bothered when my brothers and sisters say they go to Buckhead Church, wishing they would at least only call it “Buckhead Ministries.” That is all. Thanks for listening!
Jeremy — great comment. I hear what you’re saying. I have nothing against small churches. I was raised in small churches. I’m a preacher’s kid. I’ve been around small churches all my life and have benefited from them. However, when I hear people talk about small churches, it’s as if less people automatically equals greater spiritual obedience. In many cases, I have seen just the opposite. Again, I have nothing against small churches. I do think churches should grow, though.
Typically, when people describe why they think small churches are better it starts with what the church can do for them. It’s my experience that we will never understand what the church can do for us until we experience what the church wants to do through us. And part of what the church is called to do is to reach people, i.e. grow.
When a church stays small and no one new is coming through, it’s my experience that in time the church will eventually implode. Having said this, the beauty of the local church is that there are many, wonderful expressions. What might work for one person might not work for another. I appreciate and value that diversity of expression. However, it’s unjustifiable scripturally to judge a church as invalid based on how many people attend. Thanks for listening as well.
Jeff
Maybe I can offer an outsider viewpoint. I have been to your church once. I was dating someone at the time who goes there still. I’m Episcopalian, so I tend to be much more of a traditionalist when it comes to liturgy. But I can handle all kinds of services, I grew up Baptist.
I will start with what I liked – the sense of energy was wonderful. The message delivered on the day I went was perfectly fine, I thought, in tune with the spirit of Jesus. I didn’t mind the music. I’ve grown up listening to rock my whole life, so I can live with almost any kind of music as part of a church service. I don’t believe services have to be just one way,
What I didn’t like: the “concert arena” feel of the church does not lend itself to reflection on the divine.
There’s too much “McChurch” selling of itself going on. At some point, you can’t speak without hypocrisy of not being of the world and yet dragging so much of a commercial feel into the place that you are, in fact, very much of the world. I will say this…some of the other mega-churches are far worse at this than this one. I don’t believe you’ve resorted to giving away cars and things like that, thank God. Please don’t.
I thought the “holographic” minister bit was…well…freaky. (sorry) I don’t understand how anyone can feel connected to a church where you seldom if ever meet your minister face-to-face. Technology is wonderful…I’m a techno-geek myself, so while I was impressed with the presentation in that sense, it left me feeling a bit cold in an emotional sense.
Finally, a mild complaint. I know its “hip” to claim non-denominationalism, if that’s a word even. I’m ecumenical in my view of religion. But denominations have formed over time for real reasons, reasons of theology and liturgy. Large churches like this one try to bring in facets from all over, as does ours, and I applaud that. But at the end of the day…its a Baptist church, ok? Truth in advertising may hurt the numbers, but we should always serve the Truth, and you can’t do that without being honest about all the truths concerning yourself and where you’re coming from.
Tom – thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it. Thanks for the encouragement as well as constructive criticism.
I don’t think we claim non-denominationalism. It’s not really much of an issue with us. Instead, I think we simply claim Jesus.
Thanks again for visiting.
Jeff