Externally focused churches are quick to partner with community agencies, they are open to building new relationships, and they flood their neighbourhoods with practical compassion, according to Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson in their book The Externally Focused Church. According to the authors, the characteristics of externally focused churches are as follows:
- They are inwardly strong but outwardly focused.
- They integrate good deeds and good news into the life of the church.
- They value impact and influence in the community more than attendance.
- They seek to be salt, light and leaven in the community.
- They see themselves as the “soul” of the community.
- They would be greatly missed by the community if they left.
In a culture which is increasingly willing to question the proposition that Christianity is “good” for society, it is more necessary than ever for Christians to be living lives which are consistent with the message which they preach. Many outsiders feel that they already know the “message” of Christianity, and they are not willing to convert to a right-wing political belief system which espouses a legalistic approach to life. Some churches are recognising that the only way to connect with such people is by demonstrating practical Christianity, rather than just talking about it. This book makes an important contribution to the field.