Dear Church. A Letter From the Searching

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Dear Church,

I write to you because I’m searching. I’m searching for something that I’m not sure can be found. I’m not sure what it looks like, what it feels like, or where to find it. I know it’s missing, and I need your help.

I know there has to be more. There has to be more to my life than what I know. Than what I have. Than who I am.

This just isn’t enough. There’s something missing.

And so, I’m coming in your doors. Please point me in the right direction. Please point me to the missing. I don’t really care how you do it, what it looks like, or how much it costs. All I care is that I find it.

You’re my last hope. You see, I’ve been everywhere else. I’ve visited all your “competitors”. The mall down the street took more from me than it gave. The bar across town left me emptier than ever. The mortgage company didn’t deliver on their promise of finding me a comfortable “home”. My family even tends to fail my expectations.

So please, show me what I’m looking for. Make it easy to find. Make it clear to find… I have too much on my mind already.

I just want the answer.
I just want what’s missing.

See you Sunday,

The Searching

Blog Church Ministry

25 responses to “Dear Church. A Letter From the Searching”

Sandy Sandmeyer

March 22

A great post, Jonathan! I just shared it on my wall with a tag for my church members. I think we need to remember we might be the last church someone might visit and if we fail them, then they might not give another church a chance again. Have a great Tuesday!!!

Reply
Jay Cookingham

March 22

Powerful…and true. Thanks Bro’

Reply
Searchers « What's the mission?

March 22

[…] March 22, 2011 in emerging I saw this posted on Twitter today: Dear Church. A Letter From the Searching. […]

Reply
Donald Borsch Jr

March 22

Maybe I misread this. Are you saying church is the answer? Are you saying that church is what’s missing?

I have yet to see Salvation come through a church. Can church save?

Like I said, maybe I misread something here. I looked to see if you mentioned Jesus as Salvation and Christians as the ones who could point another to Jesus. I didn’t see it.

Did I miss that?

http://www.projectmathetes.wordpress.com

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  March 22
  
  I think you did miss it. The Church has the answer and they must point people to Him (Jesus). Seekers often don’t know what they’re looking for though. They’re not going to use the terms we do when they have no clue what it is they need. It’s up to us to show them what they’re missing (Jesus). This is a letter to the church from someone that hasn’t seen yet.
  
  Reply
  1. Donald Borsch Jr
    
    March 22
    
    Is this a call for seeker-friendly churches?
    
    >>They’re not going to use the terms we do when they have no clue what it is they need.
    
    If the Church has the answer, but those seeking don’t know the questions to ask, I reckon then that I am kinda lost as to where you are going with this post.
    
    No worries. *shrugs* These things happen.
    
    Reply
    1. Jonathan Pearson
      
      March 22
      
      You’re going right back to what you’ve accused me of… works based salvation. No question is going to save people. It’s the Spirit when they walk in… It’s feeling HIS presence and realizing what it is they’re missing… It’s Jesus when they cry out for help. And yes, this is a call for seeker friendly churches because the opposite of that would be seeker opposed churches. Both of us can agree that opposing non-believers isn’t what God’s called us to in the Great Commission. I love ya dude, but arguing amongst ourselves over stuff isn’t going to make any mark in eternity or bring us closer to a sinner repenting. “Discussions” are fine, but unity is better (John 17).
      
      Reply
      1. Donald Borsch Jr
        
        March 22
        
        Jonathan,
        
        Yeah,…still not seeing it. Again, no worries. I did like this line, though:
        
        “Both of us can agree that opposing non-believers isn’t what God’s called us to in the Great Commission.”
        
        Matthew 10:34 springs to mind here.
        
        Keep on rocking, on, JP. People are listening!
      2. Jonathan Pearson
        
        March 22
        
        Thanks bro. Remember we’re on the same team. Our opposition isn’t ourselves.
DS

March 22

This is so good, so true.

What a beautiful message!

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  March 22
  
  Thanks man!
  
  Reply
D Pangilinan

March 22

Dear Searching,

I hope to see you on Sunday, too. But I have to tell you know, I may not be able to answer your questions right away, but if you’re willing, we can search for the answers together.

*hugs*
D

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  March 22
  
  Love them. That will answer a LOT of the questions. Thanks for commenting!
  
  Reply
Jason Vana

March 22

This is so good, Jonathan, and so true!

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  March 22
  
  Thanks!
  
  Reply
Charity Greathouse

March 22

Hey Jonathan,

Another great post that hits close to home. Thanks!

Hey I wanted to know if it would be okay to share some of your blog posts in a workshop I am teaching about how to use Social Media in ministry, including blogging. I think you’re a great example of how to do that effectively and would help a lot of people.

If you’d like further details, just email me. charity@akersassistants.com

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Charity

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  March 22
  
  Absolutely. Just give me credit for the work and you’re more than welcome. Email me if you need anymore info or have questions. Jonathanfpearson@gmail.com
  
  Reply
  1. Charity Greathouse
    
    March 22
    
    Thanks Jonathan! Credit, you bet! I want the workshop attendees to follow your blog. They can probably learn a thing or two. If not, at the very least they will be blessed.
    
    Reply
    1. Jonathan Pearson
      
      March 22
      
      Or disgusted. :) Thanks Charity! Appreciate u reading this stuff!
      
      Reply
Priscilla Marleen

March 23

After all I (and many more) have been through.. outside church and certainly inside some churches.. I understand this letter of the searching. This is real talk. And this is how I see it; every church, worldwide, should bring the Same Message of 100% Grace. Here and now. Thanks for sharing this post, God bless you! :D

Reply
Eric

April 9

Great post! Love it! Many great truths! One of
Your best posts!

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  April 9
  
  Thanks dude!
  
  Reply
@jonsothin

May 19

Thanks for the repost JP. Made me think. My question is, when people walk in the door, what do they see in us? A bunch of people who’ve got it all together? Or a group of humble, broken people gathered to seek the answers to their own problems, from the only source of truth, Jesus Christ. That’s what this world needs to see. It’s called REALITY. And when they see it, they want it. Yes, that is what a seeker-friendly church looks like.

Reply
Whitney Wilkins

December 9

Thanks Jonathan! Appreciate u reading this stuff! Keep on rocking, on, JP. Or a group of humble, broken people gathered to seek the answers to their own problems, from the only source of truth, Jesus Christ.

Reply
Normz

August 11

Hi Jonathan. I think here is the direction you are waiting for:

incmedia.org

See you inside the fold. =)

Reply

JONATHAN | PEARSON

Dear Church. A Letter From the Searching

The Searching

25 responses to “Dear Church. A Letter From the Searching”

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