Seekers are defined as those people who are exploring spirituality but have not arrived at any concrete conclusions. They are interested in the person of Jesus, mostly turned off by the established church, but willing to live life with people who seem authentic. If the local church is committed to helping seekers find Jesus, we must know what questions they are asking and what things are of no interest to them. What are the primary questions being asked by seekers? I’m glad you asked!
1. Do you really care about me?
Seekers believe the local church of today is nothing more than a corporate monolith interested only in established rituals, their attendance at events and their money. They wonder if church people really care about those who can’t speak church language, don’t dress like church people, and certainly don’t behave like church people. They are willing to listen to our ideology but only if we will listen to their viewpoint with the same respect. The local church must be committed to the intentional journey and not try to herd seekers into a box of ideas with our arguments or go for the quick sale.
2. Are you for real?
Nothing turns off seekers like hypocrisy. They don’t care if we make mistakes, but when we do, they expect us to own up to our shortcomings, asked for forgiveness and move forward. In other words, they want us to take off those cheesy church masks. Seekers want to know if we are living out our beliefs in private in the same way we talk about our beliefs in public. They expect us to say what we mean and mean what we say.
3. Do you really love one another?
Seekers also need to see proof and the best evidence is when we, as followers of Christ, love one another sincerely. Conflicts among believers are going to happen and seekers are certainly not looking for a fantasy world where everybody is perfect. That world doesn’t exist. But they are looking for a community that is committed to unity, forgiveness and redemption. They earnestly desire a fellowship that is led by servant leaders who lead with integrity and for a group of people who are willing to sacrifice for one another.
Seekers are not interested anymore in leaders who are bible experts or leaders with a flashy, charismatic personality. They care even less about the big staged events happening weekly at our buildings, although they are drawn to gatherings where they can have a spiritual experience. In the end, seekers value honesty, transparency and candid conversations. If the local church is willing to engage them on that level, seekers will find the truth they so desperately desire.