Quite often people experience a tension between doing life in their neighbourhood and the constant pull to drive to 'church', to be involved in 'fellowship' or 'outreach.'A couple of years back one of my friends told me a story of his neighbours, a wonderful family, that brought this challenge into focus like I had never seen it before.
The family were attending a church which was hosting an 'outreach event' during a holiday. As they packed up and prepared to go, none of their kids were happy. They all wanted to stay in their neighbourhood with their friends to join the local community holiday party.
The family proceeded to borrow a bunch of my friends sporting goods so they could drive out of the neighbourhood they lived in to be a part of 'church outreach' while all their friends and neighbours were walking to the local community league for a great big festive time.
I think the saddest part was that this family didn't even notice the inconsistency.
All over my city Christ-followers leave their neighbourhoods to do 'ministry' while their neighbours watch them drive away and wave goodbye. It happens in your city too.
Who would want to get converted to that kind of life?
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