“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Pastors and lay leaders serving churches over 40 years old have good reason to rejoice at Christmastime. Christmas puts focus squarely on one of the keys to church renewal: becoming flesh. In Jesus, God came to sinful humanity in human form. “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. But now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son.” (Hebrews 1:1-2)

Has your church lost touch over the years with people in your community? Don’t beat yourself up over this – it happens to a greater or lesser degree in virtually all churches. To many of the people living around your church building, the church and its message seem distant and irrelevant. They may observe Christmas in some way, but sadly, they miss its deepest meaning.

For church leaders seeking renewal, Christmas is a teaching moment. God came to us in Jesus; we, in turn, are to go to others in His name. “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21) To reach secular people, congregations must answer all five of these questions in the affirmative:

1. Do we want to know them?
2. Are we willing to go where they are?
3. Are we willing to spend time with them?
4. Do we want secular and outside-the-establishment people in our church?
5. Are we willing for our church to become their church too?

For more on these questions, follow the link to this month’s Book Review: Radical Outreach by George Hunter III.

May Jesus Christ, the One and Only, so fill your church with love and hope that you spill into the community to spread it abroad. Have a wonderful holiday season!