Dutch culture has changed since the seventies. For one thing, we changed from a semi-Christian society into a secular society. But not only that! The way we reason, think or adapt also changed dramatically. From a society in which logic, tracts and proofs made people alter their lives, we became an experiential society. We only want to know the recipes of the meals we have tasted!

So if we want to bring the gospel to a secular Dutchman, to start with Bible studies is a dead end for he’s not interested in the recipe of something unfamiliar. He must first experience the gospel – to get him curious for the recipe.

Secular people are not interested in denominations or church buildings. To reach them, we have to get out of our comfort zone and meet them where they are. You definitely won’t find them in church or a Bible study group. Church plants reaching secular people in the Netherlands have one thing in common: they are strong in running non-religious activities in which people get a taste of the gospel.

When Jesus prayed for us in John 17:20-23, he prayed for a unique and convincing characteristic that can exist nowhere but in the church: Godly unity. ‘May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.’ With this in mind we have started work with small groups, in which a passion for God and from Him a passion for one another develops.

Then, when such a small group starts to run activities with their secular friends, the incarnate Gospel is with them through their bond of love. What activities? Any activities provide this environment, as long as they are not churchy. Parties, barbecues, weddings and picnics were used by Jesus to mingle with people. But he also used welfare activities. Most of these happened far away from the temple and the synagogues. Jesus was nicknamed because he attended Matthew’s party! That is where ‘Matthew activities’ got their names from.

We encourage our small groups to invite friends to come and eat, play games, do nature walks, creative arts or sports, make trips (even take a cruise), go camping or visit the zoo and simply be friends. We also found that activities that involve ‘doing good’ function as great Matthew activities. Take friends with you to help build a clinic in Ghana, ask their help cook a meal for the homeless, visit shut-ins in a public old people’s home, together raise money for non-religious causes, like the ‘Do a wish foundation’, where terminally ill kids get their one last wish fulfilled.

Whatever you involve your friends in, let them experience belonging, even if they don’t believe or have any intention to! Never push the Gospel. That works counterproductively. We cannot convince anyone. We can only include him in the love we have learned from God.

Then, after months, but most times years, we see the miracles happen: Unbelievers start to see and taste God. Not directly, but through his body, the church, which in their case usually consists of one loving small group. And like Jesus prayed: They experience God’s love and cannot but give in to it.

The typical walk of an unbeliever coming to faith has changed. All ingredients have remained, but the order is radically different. Without the concept of belonging you block the process …

Formerly:

1. Contact

2. Study

3. Conviction

4. Choice

5. Behave

6. Baptism

7. Belong

Now:

1. Contact

2. Belong

3. Behave

4. Choice

(5.) Conviction

(6.) Study

7. Baptism