The Compass

A Daily Personal Reflection & Small Group Discussion Guide

by John Hay, Jr.
Senior Pastor, West Morris Street Free Methodist Church

A Church that is Friendly for Seekers

Luke 19:1-10

TRACKING THE WORD
What awareness and practices can increase our accessibility, understanding, and welcome to persons who are seeking?

1. FOCUSING ON one Zacchaeus in our world-and trying to understand him/her-is a beginning point to becoming "seeker SENSITIVE."

Luke 19:1-4

Who is my Zacchaeus? What can help me understand him/her?

2. CHALLENGING our own perceptions, attitudes, actions and church practices in light of a seeker like Zacchaeus helps us clear CLUTTER and distill PRIORITIES.

Luke 19:5-7

What hinders my view of seekers? What focuses me on what really matters?

3. Keeping life TRANSFORMATION through faith in Jesus Christ as the goal, we can CHANGE our personal habits and shared practices.

Luke 19:8-10

List personal and shared practices for becoming more seeker-friendly

GROWTH & ACTION POINTS
Explore and respond to the following statements in personal journaling and/or small group discussion

"We are to be a Seeker-Friendly Church. We will follow Christ's mandate to reach the unsaved, knowing that this is the way our church builds itself up and grows."

1. We recognize that a shared sense of mission is the greatest cause for unity among us.

2. The eternal truths of the Good News are not bound to any culture, heritage or style.

3. We value the symbols and language of our worship, but we realize they may hold little initial value to a contemporary, secular society or individual.

4. We cannot assume all people are as familiar with our building, our names, our style, our teaching, our schedule, etc. as we are. We must BEGIN by assuming otherwise. We must constantly and clearly explain our faith, principles, heritage, and practices.

5. We have a natural tendency to associate almost exclusively with those of like mind and background. We must seek ways to build relationships with neighbors, associates, and co-workers who are not followers of Jesus.

6. What are the top five things you think our church could do immediately to become more seeker friendly?

MARKINGS & WAYPOINTS
Insights West Morris Street leadership has reflected for becoming a seeker-friendly church

OVERCOMING INDIFFERENCE "People are becoming increasingly indifferent and suspicious--if not openly hostile--to organized religion. We cannot change that. We can address it, however, by simply offering Jesus Christ while being careful not to load the Good News with unessentials or confusing messages."

QUESTIONS WE ASK "In our preparations and planning for our public worship and other gatherings, we are interested in the answers to these questions:
" What kind of service or event would motivate our people to invite their unsaved friends and neighbors?
" How can we communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ more effectively?"

FOUR IMPRESSIONS "We desire that every person who enters our worship service will sense the following:
- "These people really like me."
- "These people understand where I hurt."
- "These people are finding real help in God."
- "Maybe I can find help, too."

RESPONSES & OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE
Want to explore The Compass with others? Have questions?

If you'd like to connect with others who are working weekly with The Compass, e-mail me or call the church office (317.632.8311)

If you have questions about Scriptures or some of the questions, or just want to share what your are discovering through The Compass, you are welcome to e-mail me.

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