When an unbeliever walks in my church he says…

What would you rather have…

An unbeliever come to your church, stand and applaud, saying “What an awesome church!”

Or…

An unbeliever come to your church, fall down and exclaim “God is really among you!”

The latter is possible… but the former tends to be our unconscious default.

Don’t misunderstand, there’s nothing wrong with wanting people to think our church is awesome – after all, we’ve worked, sacrificed, dreamed, and prayed that they would find our church to be a welcoming, relevant place of excellence and inspiration.

But ultimately, neither excellence, creativity, experience, nor warmth can change a life.

Only the presence of God can change a life.

Here’s what Paul said, and it should be our goal as church leaders:

But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!” 1 Corinthians 14:24-25

God working through the words spoken through His people, applied to the visitor, could actually validate His presence in that service. What would it take in your church for unbelievers to conclude, “God is really here”? I have had that experience in both churches I’ve served, where new people say, “I don’t know what all is going on here, but I was drawn here, and it feels like God is here.”

I’d rather have the presence of God than praise for a cool church.

Here’s a checklist. Are you truly desiring people to see God presence through each of these areas, or are you programming and leading so that people just think your church is awesome? Be honest…

• Website/signage/ads/promo
• Guest services
• Facilities
• Children’s ministry
• Student ministry
• Adult ministry
• Outreach
• Worship services
• Music
• Teaching