The 10 Most Overlooked People in Your Church

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This post is in response to the original article by Anne Peterson. Her post on crosswalk.com can be found here: http://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/the-10-most-overlooked-people-in-your-church.html?p=2

1. Single People

• It’s hard to believe that most churches overlook this group of people. In my opinion, this is probably the most regarded group. With churches forming so many “group” activities, this ranks highest with singles groups, youth groups, teen groups, bible study groups, etc.  The author quotes no scripture here for biblical reference for the single to be administered.  

• 1 Cor. 7:24-40 - these verses deals with both the single unmarried as well as the divorced and single. Paul gives teaching how a man and woman who are born again should desire God first, then marriage, if at all.

2. People With Illnesses

• If you are not part of an assembly in which prays for those that are sick, speak out to your pastor and/or elders of the church. This is biblical and we are commanded to pray for the sick: 

• James 5:14-16  Any who believe their illnesses cannot be healed by God and therefore wont “ask” for prayer is in unbelief, “without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Heb. 11:6

3. College-Aged Kids

• I totally disagree with the author on this one. College-Aged kids are just that, “kids” these days. They should be young “men” and young “women”. However, we have so comforted them within the “church” so it would be “fun”, they haven’t grown up to be responsible, accountable and able to “endure hardness as a good soldier in Jesus Christ.” 2 Tim. 2:3  With so much attention leading up to college (which isn’t necessarily a wise decision), we have corrupted their minds with segregation in the church; children’s church, tiny tots, youth group, children’s camp, etc. it’s no wonder they want the focus to remain on them. We as “the older” need to teach the younger how to resist such things. Titus 2:1-8

4. Emotionally Wounded People

• The author defines these people as ones who have “had a negative experience in the past” with church. Are these people “overlooked in the church?” Should sermons be based on “has anyone here been hurt before by attending church?” If anyone has given their heart to truth, hearing the Word of God can hurt, but it’s a good hurt. If anyone is willing to live godly in Christ Jesus, they shall suffer persecution.  2 Tim. 3:12 - This persecution can also come from those close to us, including within the church. Are these people overlooked? Absolutely not, it’s you and I. “Church” is the assembly of the believers in Jesus Christ, not a pep-rally to always “feel good”. When we are hurt by others we are commanded to pray for them. When we hurt others we are commanded to confess our faults and ask for their forgiveness. Luke 17:4

5. People Who Have Lost a Spouse

• I agree to some extent with the author on this point. She references James 1:27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” Those who now live alone due to a death of a spouse, are we to always been visiting them? It has it’s time and place. If we visit them so much to talk about their sorrow, we can keep them there and focusing on their spouse and making that their idol. However, wisdom from God is to visit them “in their affliction”. This can certainly be part of the time when dealing with their spouses death, but we are called to bring them back to God as their focus and not to weep like those who are lost. 1 Thess. 4:13-18

6. People from Different Cultural Backgrounds

• I have been fortunate not to have seen this happen where I assemble in Christ. There have been many times of seeing those from different countries and ethnic backgrounds. We should all join together if we be in Christ; Galatians 3:28 - However, we should be warned to always make sure we are not ever bringing in another doctrine due to the culture as warned with Jannes and Jambres. 2 Tim. 3:8, Eph. 4:14

7. People Who Struggle Financially

• Once again, I do not see this from the same perspective as the author. I don’t see where true born-again Christians withdraw themselves from assembling with others due to their financial situation. True worship isn’t about giving with money, it’s about giving from the heart. Mark 12:39-44 - The warning here would be to watch out for false teachers that make you feel warm and fuzzy knowing your poor financial situation. Those will move you emotionally and make you feel welcome so they can convince you to give what you don’t have, putting you in greater debt. Titus 1:10-11

8. Introverts

• If we are born-again, we were all introverts once. Think about it, introvert is someone who finds it hard to talk or be part of a group socially. Was that not us when we were unbelievers towards the believing? The Word of God is quick (alive) and sharp, hitting us right to the soul. Heb. 4:12 What better tool to bring us out of our introvert state. Are introverts being overlooked at your church? If the Word of God is being preached in Spirit and Truth, “no”, they are being ministered to in the love and grace of God. We don’t need to “form groups” within the church. We do however need to make sure we don’t “forsake the assembly of ourselves” (Heb. 10:25) but this verse doesn’t mean “the church building”. It means the believers in Jesus Christ. Those so-called introverts can assemble outside of the church building with other believers at dinner, their own house, or wherever and fulfill the commandment.

9. People Without Children

• Again, I don’t see where these people are overlooked.  I’m thankful for the assemblies I have been apart of where children are welcome and the opposite alike. However, there is a growing heresy growing in the name of “Christianity” where it is “cool” not to have children. This is most popular and uprising within the Veritas church plants.  Their leaders are young, congregation young, and they encourage to be without children.  This is not biblical. There are those who cannot have children and that should not be condemned. There are those that are older and their children have moved out of the home. This too should not be condemned. But those who are young and married should be taught that God loves children and made us to be fruitful and multiply. Gen. 1:22, Psalm 127:3, 1 Tim. 5:14

10. People Who Live Different Lifestyles

• The author doesn’t use any scripture here to testify to the word “lifestyles”. She does explain that “our focus should be on what unifies us instead of what divides us.” I will agree with that statement based on Jesus Christ should be what unifies us!  There is an inkling here based on the limited comment with emotion used that this could lead to believe that people of sinful lifestyles should be accepted. And with today’s growing trend to allow homosexual lifestyle into the church, I can only wonder if this is what the author was alluding. It’s one thing if our lifestyle differences are based on occupation or ethnicity, it’s completely different to agree that we should assemble if we don’t have unity in the Word of God, truth in Jesus Christ.  2John 1:10-11

I encourage your feedback. However, before doing so, please take the time to read the original article as well as all scripture references I provide here in response. 

Hebrews 10:21-24 And having an high priest over the house of God; ²²Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) ²⁴And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: