Becoming a 'Contagious Congregation'

For the Chimes Newsletter
By Pastor Gary Lewis

Dr. George G. Hunter wrote a book in 1979 with the title “The Contagious Congregation: Frontiers in Evangelism and Church Growth.” He is now the chair of Christian Evangelism and professor of Evangelism and Church Growth at Asbury Theological Seminary. He has probably written several dozen new books since then. Yet, I find this book to still be relevant today.

What I find most challenging is the title “The Contagious Congregation.” When we think about the word “contagious” we usually associate it with some sort of disease. When someone is contagious we want to wear masks and gloves to avoid being exposed. In the Christian context, though, being contagious means to be like Jesus. When non-Christians come into contact with a local church they should be exposed to Christ-like love and actions.

Would you consider our congregation “contagious” about its faith? Or do we put on masks and gloves (in a symbolic way) to avoid being exposed to those who struggle with faith or may have no faith at all?

I don’t know about you, but I want to be “contagious” for the Lord! Yet, I don’t always know how to go about doing that. That’s why we are in this together. We need to spend some time in prayer asking God to show us some ways to become more contagious. For Hunter, prayer means we take the time to “wait to receive power.” After all, it is really the Holy Spirit that does the real work of evangelism.

Let me be clear: I look at our attendance reports each week with a keen eye. I am well-aware of our ups and downs in both services. I care deeply about our outreach. Someone taught me a long time ago that when it comes to ministry “people vote with their feet.” Yet, this desire to be contagious for Jesus has nothing to do with the institution of our church. It is not about numbers. It has to do with being faithful to Jesus. I have this compelling drive within me to share the Good News.

How about you, dear reader, do you have such a compelling drive?

Most non-Christians are convinced that Christianity is an otherworldly enterprise far outside the real world concerns that occupy most thoughtful human beings. This is why the message our church brings must be relevant to those who do not embrace the Christian faith.

The message must be unambiguous. Often times, pastors and lay people simply speak a different language that cannot be understood by non-Christians. A similar problem with clarity involves saying too much. The message must be reduced to meeting a particular question or need at a particular moment.

This is why the message we share must be Biblical. The church is built on a book and people are interested in what Jesus proclaimed and taught. They are not interested in private opinions about our concept of Christianity. What matters the most is our relationship with others.

Hunter puts it best: “It is not necessary that one always (or even usually) verbalizes the gospel; the Christian has not ‘failed Jesus’ just because he has not mentioned his name. The essential purposes of presence ministry are to know people, to be known by them, to identify with them, and to demonstrate a caring interest in them, to build the friendships which can become the bridges of God.” (Page 135)

A key to all of this is that God’s workers must be intentional in their efforts. Every conversation, every contact, is an opportunity for evangelism. This is what it means to become a “contagious congregation.”