Three Questions That Transform Church Culture
Creating a church that effectively reaches people outside the faith community requires more than good intentions. It demands intentional evaluation through the eyes of newcomers. This is the philosophy behind "The Irresistible List," a simple but powerful framework designed to ensure churches remain accessible to those unfamiliar with church culture.
At the heart of this approach lies a fundamental mandate: "Assume they are in the room."
This single directive shifts the entire perspective of church planning, communication, and execution. Rather than viewing the church as a gathering exclusively for believers with the mission field "out there," this approach recognizes that every environment—from worship services to children's ministry to parking lots—may include people taking their first steps toward faith.
The story of a pastor who criticized a well-known pop star by name during a singles ministry event illustrates this principle perfectly. Unknown to the pastor, that very celebrity had attended the same ministry just weeks earlier, sitting anonymously against the wall. Such careless remarks could have permanently closed the door to that individual's faith journey.
The Irresistible List consists of three straightforward questions that church leaders should regularly ask about every ministry environment:
What do they see?
What do they hear?
What do they experience?
These questions, while simple, provide a comprehensive evaluation framework to identify potential barriers for newcomers. By consistently filtering decisions through these questions, churches can resist the natural gravitational pull toward insider-focused ministry.
While there are appropriate times for insider-only gatherings, these should be the exception rather than the rule. For churches committed to reaching unchurched people, the assumption that newcomers are present must inform every aspect of church life.
Visit irresistible.church/irresist-list to learn more about creating a church environment that effectively reaches those who don't typically attend church.