People Are the Mission: How Churches Can Welcome Guests Without Compromising the Gospel

by Danny Franks, J.D. Greear (Foreword)

When it comes to interacting with guests and new attendees, churches typically gravitate toward one of two shock and awe or unfortunate afterthought. On one extreme, a zeal to welcome guests inadvertently makes people the center of the universe. At the other, hospitality and a friendly welcome is effectively ignored in deference to the "serious business" of worship.
People Are the Mission  proposes a healthy middle between these two extremes, one where guests are esteemed but the gospel is the goal. Danny Franks, Pastor of Guest Services at The Summit Church, shows churches how to take a more balanced ministries that are guest-friendly from the outset and gospel-centric to their core. Danny shows not only how to effectively bring people in and convince them to stay, but also  why  our hospitality to honor the stranger doesn't stand in opposition to honoring the Savior.

Genres: Faith, Christian, Discipleship

208 pages, Paperback

Published March 6, 2018

Reviews

[Jeffrey Kahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good analysis of the tension often present in contemporary church ministry: being hospitable/welcoming without diluting the power and offense of the Gospel.

[James Mayfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't think I was the authors intended audience as there were a lot of assumptions that were made that I would have like to hear about how they were arrived at. I understand that the first century church (fellowship of the saints) was very different then the church in the west today (evangelical tool) so much so that I think we should not use the same word to describe both. Today the professional clergy and their weekend services are the key that drive reaching the unreached and getting people into the kingdom. I would like to know when this happened and why it happened? Can we take Jesus' words and commands to his followers and use them to shape a biblical conviction so strong that if someone goes against them we are being disobedient to God's calling for the weekend service? Are we a church or a para-church organization? What would it look like if we created a weekend service that welcomed guests and was a place where believers (lay people) could reach and share their faith with people who were obviously interested in the Christian faith? A place where it was modeled and shown how to share your faith with families and friends in a everyday reproducible way. These are real questions not loaded ones and I feel are important as we move into a post-christian society.

[Utah Kershner · Rating 4 out of 5]

FINALLY finished this book now this semester is done and I have more time. it was so good! I borrowed it from a friend months ago and finally was able to read it. Danny Franks is on the pastoral team at the summit church and is a church hospitality genius. He had so much wisdom and advice not just about how to create a church atmosphere that is welcoming to guests, but arguably more important, why we should prioritize that. he did a great job casting vision about why the guest experience is so important in view of the broader great commission to make disciples of all nations. future believers start with a great first-time experience and Danny communicated that so well. highly recommend any church staff or ministry leaders to give this book a read!

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Good Book. Danny Franks captures a number of different perspectives related to welcoming guests to church; perspectives I never thought about as a regular attendee at church. This book will enlighten readers of many challenges with church culture today that makes it difficult to openly and effectively welcome new guests to church in a way that helps to not compromise on the gospel message while being kind, loving, and sensitive to the needs of guests. I think this book is a great complement to any evangelical or outreach literature. Great book!

[Josh Navey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there was a contribution that needed to be made to the world of Guest Services books, it would be to firmly plant the WHY in the eternal. Danny clearly articulates why our churches need to be good at hospitality: the gospel demands it. And I think you'll chuckle (maybe even belly laugh?) a couple times too.

[Tina Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A biblical look on welcoming guests, seekers into the community of believers without compromising truth!

Grace for the prodigals and for the older brothers both while preaching truth.

Knocked one star off for minor issues of style of delivery.

A great read.

[Austin Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very balanced, practical, and gospel-focused. It is extremely helpful in navigating the world of hospitality and church focus.

[Bryan Reeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book more about philosophy and less about the practical things when it comes to church guest services. Definetily worth the read.

[Seth Channell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Provides helpful foundation of why churches should care for guests.

[Jason Pamblanco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good reminders for all engaging in hospitality at church

[Josiah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Passionate vision casting and practical advice throughout!

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful, grace-centered, and (honestly) wise book to help churches welcome guests in a way that matches the heart of the gospel. Franks also has a great sense of humor and that adds to the book’s readability. I only dinged it one star for his using several quotes from Andy Stanley. Granted, Stanley knows about outreach, and the quotes don’t touch on his unbiblical ideas about ‘un-hitching from the Old Testament, but it is still off-putting to have him quoted multiple times in an otherwise excellent book.

[Wes Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

On his extremely helpful website, dfranks.com, Danny regularly scores big with his "Danny Recommends" posts. If the scores of us who've benefitted from his recommendations were to respond in kind with a "We Recommend" post, our collective recommendation would be this book. In People are the Mission, Danny combines solid theology with practical steps for those wishing to connect with their community. Danny's passion for people and his ability to help others translate their passion to action is evident throughout this book. An essential read for churches and those who lead them.

[Andy Huette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful read about taking hospitality seriously in the church. I appreciate how he was skeptical of overdoing it for selfish purposes and focused on the "why" of hospitality--so that the only stumbling block to Christ is Christ Himself.

His incessant comedic footnotes will be as polarizing to readers as olives. I like olives, though.

[Robert J Mayfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thought it was preaching the gospel of being nice. Congregations job is to be nice, Pastors job is to present the gospel. All and good but I think that just because people at church are not what author defines as nice it will not keep people out of the Kingdom.

[Zoie Ulmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read for anyone in church ministry.. I think the concepts and reminders are good for not just the staff but for the volunteers and anyone serving in a guest centered environment!

[Bryson · Rating 3 out of 5]

cool

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful--and funny!

Danny Franks helps church in an informative and funny way to remind us that we much reach and connect with people, not just our way of doing church.