Research tells us that many Christians today have left the church for some reason. Some of them left because they were hurt by the church, and say that people in the church aren't Christ-like at all. This should serve as a wake-up call to the people inside today's churches - pastors, leaders, workers, volunteers and the like:

We should all strive to be Christ-like not just with our mouths, but with our lives.

Loving those without a church

Friends, many unchurched people are without a church because they were hurt. Regardless of who they are and what they do, they matter to God, and thus they should matter to us too.

We must give our attention to these beloved people because God values them as much as He values us. In Luke 15:1-7 we read of His love for them:

"Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." So He spoke this parable to them, saying:

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance."

Knowing how much He loves them and longs for them to be found, we must not be like the ninety-nine that didn't care. We must not be like the prodigal son's older brother who didn't care (see Luke 15:11-32). We must be like Jesus who loved those who left the church.

What the unchurched long for

To help you find ways to reach out to the unchurched this Christmas, here are some things you should know.

1) They want real love without prejudice

Many Christians today have a wrong perception of what it is to be a Christian. Some think that once a church member leaves the church, they automatically backslide or quit on their faith in Christ. Research proves this wrong.

Some of the unchurched may not go to church, but have kept their faith. They continue to read their Bibles and pray, and some even meet for fellowship. They continue longing for someone inside the church to reach out to them genuinely without any prejudice. I hope that we can all do that this Christmas.

2) They long to be heard

Some Christians can be so bad at dealing with people who went out of the church that instead of giving them listening ears and open arms, they give the unchurched a sermon on "staying in church" or "honoring the man of God." Seriously, that's just so one-sided.

Some brothers and sisters left the church because of church hurt or spiritual abuse. We ought to listen to them and hear their side of the story before we ever make any conclusion.

3) They love Jesus but can't find it in the church

Many Christians left the church because the Christians inside it behave and act worse than the unbelievers outside it. This un-Christlike behavior causes many brothers and sisters to get disillusioned and leave the institutional church.

Such beloved people look for the love that Jesus has, and thus the best way to reach out to them would be Christ-like love.