Sticky Church

What are we doing to make our church “sticky”? I am not talking about the four-year-old a few pews behind us on a Sunday morning, wiping his lollipop-hands all over the seats, Bibles, or anything else he can get his little hands on. I am talking about our impressions on the community and visitors that make it “sticky” and easier to be welcomed into and belong. I think of some of the advertisements for companies and products I have seen over the years and how some of the images portrayed in those advertisements have stuck with me for years and years. Whether those ads were attention-grabbing, funny, or used a particular spokesperson those advertisements became “sticky,” staying with us in memories (maybe even subconsciously) for years. Those advertisements made us desire or feel a need for that product—they were “sticky.”

Similarly, what can we do to make the church “sticky” for others? I think of 1 Peter 2-4, and specifically 1 Peter 3:15: “in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (ESV).

This passage is talking about giving a defense when you suffer for righteousness sake, but the principle applies. When someone ridicules, questions, and slanders, they usually do so out of a lack of understanding. When we share the hope of Christ with those who do not understand, we show how Christ has changed our lives.

I mentioned earlier about advertisements using athletes to endorse a product, and that has been something prominent in my life. Drinking Gatorade or Powerade because of the players who were shown drinking it in commercials, causes me to think, “If Gatorade does that for those players, then it will do that for me!” That is what we are called to do for Christ and his church. Part of being a “sticky” church is genuine people being transformed by their relationship with Christ. Then these people developing relationships with newcomers as they demonstrate a genuine concern for them and their need for a Savior.

Another aspect of “sticky” church is caring about the things that a newcomer cares about. Imagine a visitor to your church who comes in and has kids. How likely will they be to return if there is no kids’ programming offered? Churches that don’t meet the needs of the congregation send an unintentional message that says, “We don’t care about what you care about.”

“Sticky” churches also engage with new people. When a new person comes into the church, they are welcomed and acknowledged. Also, it is a good practice to follow up with them and, if possible, connect them to someone they may know. A newcomer does not just fill out a Connect card, get a gift, and be sent on their way. “Sticky” churches stick them with relationship builders and form a connection.

I remember a project I did for a worship class in college, where I had to attend churches and evaluate my experience. I chose to go to one of the most attended churches in my area to see and evaluate why so many people were drawn there. I went to the church, went in, sat down, the service came and went, and I left. I didn’t have a single person talk to me, engage with me, or even acknowledge me. Maybe that is the draw for so many people: to just slip in and out, to remain anonymous, but there is no genuine connection built in communities like that. There is no accountability (which could very well be the draw that some have), but that is not how a “sticky” church works, and that does not constitute discipleship making.

What practices can we institute to better make our churches “sticky”? What can we do to help newcomers feel like they belong? As we strive to carry out the great commission, let’s do all we can to make our congregations welcoming and engaging such that people will stick, not just with us, but most importantly, with Jesus.