Attraction as outreach?

How do you feel about a Christian bringing a friend (who they are not interested in) to church, knowing that the person will go because they like the person? In the hopes that they can find friends and fellowship in the proper gender group?

This is a hard question to answer. I am not horribly opposed to doing this as long as you are CLEARLY not leading that person on. Please refer to my previous post on how to say “no” to a good friend who is interested in dating you. As long as you have clearly told that person “No, I don’t want a romantic relationship with you…” and you keep good, clear boundaries with him/her I think it is okay.

I will give some examples to elaborate on what “good, clear boundaries” might look like. You could invite that person to church, but I would not carpool with them to church more than once. You could hang out with them after church IN A GROUP so that they could get to know some friends of their same gender group. But even this, I would caution you not to do often. That first week you bring them I would highly suggest that you introduce them to a trusted friend or cell/small group leader (of their same gender) that could help them get to know others at church.

Overall, I think your heart is in the right place (for them to get to know Jesus) but please be wise with your actions so that this person is not misled into thinking you like them.

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