The idea of bringing people to church has become too much of a default today. We can put too much emphasis on bringing people to church thinking that it will change them and save them - and yes, it certainly can. But somewhere along the line we have forgotten that the service, the place, the preaching is not the church. The people are the church and we don't necessarily have to bring people to the church - at least in terms of allowing them to have a first meaningful encounter with Jesus and warming them up to the Christian faith. Instead, we can bring the church to them.
For years, my wife and I lost track of this concept and wasted a lot of time and energy bringing my in-laws to church. Multiple times we would drag them and even manipulate them to attend services, but no matter how many times they would go they'd end up just losing interest and would stop attending again. The frustration piled up until one day I just realised how senseless I had been. I had focused so much on the church being an experience and a location that I had failed to bring to light two truths:
The church is built upon Christ
Ephesians 2:19-20 says, "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone." A cornerstone is a big rock upon which all weight and burden is laid upon. Jesus is the reliable cornerstone we can cast all burdens and worries on (Matthew 11:28) even the burden of unsaved family and friends.
So many times we put unnecessary burden on ourselves and on unchurched people trying to work for their salvation and redemption by dragging them into a church service even if they are intimidated, turned off or disinterested with it for the timebeing. While I am a strong believer in church services and in using them as an evangelistic tool, it's not the only place way Jesus makes Himself most evident. Many of his life changing encounters with people were outside the synagogue.
We can be Jesus' light
Jesus never once told anyone to bring people to church or a church event. He instead commands us in Matthew 5:17, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." When we let our light shine to our family and friends by being a blessing to them, loving them and grabbing every opportunity to manifest the transformation Jesus has brought upon us, we actually shine Jesus' light better than simply pulling them into an event they might not feel comfortable with.
My intention is not to discredit church services, evangelistic events and concerts, but God has so many other ways of making himself known, and your life is one way of Him doing exactly that. If people won't come to your church, that's fine. Bring the church to them in simple or creative ways, and even just by being yourself, and they will experience Jesus.
