What is outreach in the Church today?

The definition of outreach is  is the proactive act of extending services, information, or assistance directly to a target population rather than waiting for them to come to you.

But what does that mean and how did Jesus Christ model this in His ministry on earth?

Did Jesus wait for people to come to Him? Yes and no. He taught and crowds gathered. He also went to His disciples and said "follow Me." Please hear me when I say we are limited in our knowledge as we are not God. Jesus was fully man and fully God so He knew things about others that we won't ever know.

He did not wait for Peter and Andrew to stumble upon Him. He went to them.

When Lazarus died, Jesus went to His home.

So how is the modern day church supposed to model Jesus' example? Do they wait for people to come to them? Or do they go out into the world and reach those who may never set foot in church?

Outreach is so much more than just spreading the Gospel and creating converts then moving on with your day. It is going out into the community and sitting with the hurting, showing compassion, and sharing the love of Christ by being His hands and feet.

It is reaching those who most of society has forgotten about or are uncomfortable around. It's going out and sharing Christ to people who haven't been to church in years or may not ever have been to church, and inviting them to join a body of believers so they can continue to grow in their relationship with Christ and go out and make disciples.

We as the Church have complicated this when it's really quite simple. Even my 6 year old understands the concept of discipleship. She wants to be a teacher so she can teach kids, and then they can go out and teach kids what she's taught them.

As disciples of Jesus Christ we are called to go out and teach others what Christ has taught us. That can be through Scripture or through a pastor, however the ultimate goal is to bring others into the Body of Christ.

I encourage you today to remember that outreach isn't simply programs your church puts together, but it is actively living out your faith.