Image: Nina Strehl | Unsplash

There are so many great tools available to churches today.

From social media, to audio and video tools, to cool giveaways for first-time guests.

But none of that matters until you’re doing the essentials well.

Be Good, Not Fancy

This week I went to a restaurant with a large group of people. When the server took our order she didn’t write anything down. She said she could keep it all in her head.

That’s impressive.

Except.

She didn’t get the order right.

And she wasn’t available later when we needed something. And the food wasn’t great (not her fault, but still...).

Not having to write down the order will impress people for a moment or two. But what’s even more impressive (though less noticeable) is a server who gets the order right. And serves great food. And is available when needed.

There’s no sense doing the extras if you’re failing on the basics.

Get The Church Essentials Right

It’s the same in our churches.

Don’t spend your time on cool new ideas until you’ve got the essentials locked down.

• Preach the Word with passion and truth
• Love each other
• Welcome guests with genuine friendliness
• Forgive when you’re slighted
• Support the weak and vulnerable
• Make disciples

A cool new church logo is nice. But it’s not nearly as impressive or important as a church that’s doing the essentials well.

After all, we don’t go to a restaurant to be impressed by a server’s memory skills. We go for good food and good service.

People who come to our churches are the same. They’re not looking for fancy graphics or oratorical flair.

• They want to know God loves them
• They want a chance to make a difference
• They want someone who will be there when they’re hurting
• They want to know the scriptures better
• They want to experience forgiveness and hope

And they want the same for their friends and family.

Do What Matters

I love innovative churches. (It’s in the masthead for this blog, after all.) But innovation only works if the basics are solid.

In churches, as in restaurants, the rule is simple. Do good work.

Love God, love people, preach the Word and make disciples.

Your church might not have the budget or the staff to do the extras, but that’s okay. You can do what matters.

And doing what matters is all that matters.

Copyright © 2018 by the author or Christianity Today.
Click here to read our guidelines concerning reprint permissions.