While listening to an over-excited Vaynerchuk on a recent podcast, he passionately pontificated on the new “THANK YOU ECONOMY” that we are now a part of.  In his words, we are living in a day when it’s no longer ok to push your “product” on people, tell them to buy it, and be done with them.  We are here to SERVE those who are somehow engaged and connected to us, and when we do that well, we won’t have to push or sell anything to them.

He’s right. But this is not one of Gary’s crazy ideas, or even a new idea.  This has been / should be the posture of the Church from day one.  We are created and called to Love and Serve in and especially Outside our walls.  It is precisely our forgetfulness and neglectfulness of this posture that has led to Overt Evangelism Campaigns and Strategies, and Bring A Friend Weekends.

When we love and serve, first and foremost, we position ourselves to be heard, respected, and followed.  In other words, “…let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:16 NLT)

So, HOW are you “Thanking” the community that your church serves?  Do they even know you exist other than the traffic hassle you cause on Sundays?  What do they “get” from your church that is above and beyond Attending one of your services?

AND

WHO do you personally need to “Thank” this week?  Who and How can you extend the Gospel in your neighborhood with no expectation in return?