Make It Easy to Invite People
Alongside the message, Stanley says churches must create environments people can invite their friends into without embarrassment or anxiety.
He references the spirit of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, where James says:
“Let’s not make it difficult for those who are turning to God.”
Stanley calls that a practical north star for church leaders: remove every obstacle you can, except the one that will always be unavoidable.
He paraphrases Paul’s idea this way: if there’s going to be an offense, let it be Christ crucified, not Christian weirdness, Christian reputation, or church culture.
“Organize Around the Next Generation, Not Keeping the Current One”
Stanley’s challenge to pastors is blunt.
If a church organizes its budget, teaching, music, and ministry strategy primarily around keeping the current generation comfortable, it eventually turns inward. It preaches to the choir, grows cynical, and loses urgency.
But if it organizes around reaching the next generation, it stays forward-leaning and open-handed.
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He says the post-Christian world is already sitting in:
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middle school ministries
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high school ministries
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college ministries
This is not a future problem. It’s a present reality.
The New Covenant Focus: One Command
Stanley says the church’s ethic under the New Covenant is not complicated.
Jesus did not give 613 commands. He did not give ten.
He gave one:
“Love one another as I have loved you.”
