Matthew 2.1-12
Wrapping up my sermon for the week and I came across this at textweek.com. It is a great reflection on Matthew 2:1-21 which understands the magi as the unchurched who come looking for Jesus. The reflection asks, "Where are the unchurched at today" and "What speaks to the unchurched today? What might God do to get their attention? What might the church do to get their attention? What will make sense to them? Some answers are: style(s) of music, drama, quality of performances, meeting people's needs, caring for others, being a friend. I'm afraid that much of what they church has done in the past bores people. It drives them away. It doesn't attract them."

Great stuff! The commentary on this passage also has a warning about us being careful about what ideas we give the unchurched about church. "With all the good, flashy, stuff that may speak to the unchurched today, they need to be encountered by trained leaders in the Church and the Word of God or they are likely to make wrong assumptions and end up in the wrong place. The traditions of the church are vitally important to keep us going in the right direction – towards the salvation given by God through Christ."

Wow! I think this might be a good passage to reflect on for our discussions concerning the e/p/w church.