🧪 Case Study 11.3: “Should We Hide Who We Are?”
🧪 Case Study 11.3: “Should We Hide Who We Are?”
Case Setting
Harbor Point is a fictional coastal city where Scientology maintains a prominent institutional presence. The community includes active Scientologists, former Scientologists, Christians, people from other religious traditions, and many residents with no formal religious affiliation.
For decades, religious tensions have occasionally affected public trust. Some residents are cautious whenever a new religious organization enters the community. They wonder whether the organization has hidden motives, aggressive recruitment methods, or plans to criticize other religious groups.
New Hope Baptist Church, a large congregation located twenty miles away, has begun sponsoring a daughter-church plant in Harbor Point.
The proposed church plant is called Harbor Grace Church.
New Hope Baptist Church will provide:
theological oversight
pastoral supervision
financial accountability
safeguarding policies
leadership training
ministry evaluation
conflict-resolution support
assistance with community outreach
The church-planting team hopes to begin with neighborhood service, community meals, small Bible discussions, and eventually Sunday worship services.
The Church-Planting Team
Pastor Andrew serves as the lead church planter. He has twelve years of pastoral experience and has received additional training in comparative religion and permission-based gospel ministry.
Other team members include:
Leah, a teacher and children’s ministry leader
Joseph, a local business owner
Carla, a Christian life coach
Steven, an elder from the sponsoring church
Naomi, a former Harbor Point resident
Benjamin, a seminary student serving as an intern
The team agrees that the church should treat Scientologists respectfully, avoid caricature, protect freedom of conscience, and maintain an openly Christian identity.
However, disagreement develops when the team begins discussing public communication.
The Marketing Proposal
Benjamin prepares a draft website for the church plant.
The homepage identifies Harbor Grace Church as:
“A community for personal growth, meaningful relationships, spiritual exploration, and practical service.”
The website does not mention that Harbor Grace is a Baptist church plant.
It does not identify New Hope Baptist Church as the sponsoring congregation.
It does not mention Jesus Christ, the Bible, Christian worship, baptism, or the gospel.
Benjamin explains his reasoning during a team meeting.
“Many people in Harbor Point are suspicious of churches,” he says. “If we immediately call ourselves Baptist, people may never attend. We could begin with neutral language, build relationships, and explain our Christian identity later.”
He continues:
“We are not lying. We really do care about personal growth, relationships, and service. Once people trust us, they may become more open to Christianity.”
Leah is uncomfortable with the proposal.
“If people attend believing this is a general spiritual-growth organization, they may feel deceived when they discover that we are planting a Christian church,” she says.
Benjamin responds:
“We are not forcing anyone to convert. We are simply avoiding language that might close the door too early.”
The Community Center Opportunity
The church-planting team is considering renting rooms at the Harbor Point Community Center.
The center’s director, Ms. Evelyn Grant, asks Pastor Andrew to describe the organization.
Pastor Andrew says:
“We are a community outreach group interested in meals, family activities, and spiritual conversations.”
Ms. Grant asks:
“Are you connected to a church or religious denomination?”
Pastor Andrew hesitates.
He knows that identifying the group as Baptist might affect the rental decision. He also worries that community members may assume the church plant exists primarily to confront Scientology.
He answers:
“We have Christian members, but our events are open to everyone.”
The answer is technically true, but it does not fully answer the question.
After the meeting, Pastor Andrew tells the team that he feels uneasy.
“I did not lie,” he says, “but I also did not disclose our complete identity.”
The First Community Meal
Before the website is finalized, the team hosts a community meal in a rented restaurant meeting room.
The invitation reads:
“Join your neighbors for a free meal, meaningful conversation, and community connection.”
The invitation does not mention that a church is sponsoring the event.
Nearly sixty people attend.
The team serves dinner without requiring any religious participation. During the meal, volunteers listen to residents describe community strengths and concerns.
The evening goes well until Benjamin stands and gives an unannounced ten-minute Christian testimony.
He speaks sincerely about salvation through Jesus Christ and invites everyone to attend a future Bible discussion.
Several guests appreciate the testimony.
Others appear uncomfortable.
One attendee, Olivia, approaches Leah afterward.
“I thought this was simply a neighborhood meal,” Olivia says. “I would probably still have come if I had known Christians were hosting it, but I do not like feeling that the religious purpose was hidden.”
Leah apologizes.
“You should have been told who we are and what would happen,” she says.
Another attendee, Peter, disagrees.
“I thought the testimony was encouraging,” he says. “Why should Christians be ashamed of their faith?”
Leah replies:
“We should not be ashamed. That is exactly why we should be honest about our identity before people arrive.”
A Current Scientologist Responds
One of the guests, Elena, is an active Scientologist who owns a local design business.
She attended because a neighbor invited her.
After Benjamin’s testimony, Elena tells Pastor Andrew:
“I do not object to Christians talking about Jesus. But your invitation made this sound like a neutral community event. Was the meal intended to recruit people into your church?”
Pastor Andrew answers:
“We sincerely wanted to serve the neighborhood. We were not requiring anyone to join anything.”
Elena replies:
“That may be true, but you knew this was connected to a church. Why not simply say so?”
She continues:
“I have heard Christians accuse Scientology of hiding its intentions. If your church is going to criticize hidden religious motives, you should not hide your own.”
Pastor Andrew recognizes the force of her observation.
He says:
“You are right that we should have been clearer. We are Christians planting a Baptist church. We want to serve the neighborhood and speak openly about Jesus without pressuring anyone. Our invitation should have explained that.”
Elena thanks him for acknowledging the problem.
She does not express interest in attending the church, but she says she may participate in another community meal if future invitations are more transparent.
The Team Debate
At the next team meeting, the group discusses what happened.
Benjamin remains convinced that direct Christian language will reduce attendance.
“If we put ‘Baptist church plant’ on everything, many people will stay away,” he says. “How can they hear the gospel if they never come?”
Steven, the sponsoring-church elder, responds:
“Our goal is not merely to maximize attendance. Our goal is faithful Christian presence. People have the right to know who is inviting them.”
Carla adds:
“Permission-based ministry requires informed participation. A person cannot meaningfully choose whether to attend a Christian event when the Christian nature of the event is concealed.”
Joseph asks whether every community-service activity must include preaching.
Steven answers:
“No. Christian identity and Christian proclamation are related, but they are not identical. We can openly identify ourselves as Christians while hosting a meal that does not include a sermon.”
Naomi agrees.
“We can say that the meal is sponsored by Harbor Grace Church and that no religious participation is required. That is honest and welcoming.”
Pastor Andrew asks the team to distinguish between three different practices:
Hiding the church’s identity
Disclosing the church’s identity without forcing religious participation
Clearly announcing an event that includes worship, prayer, Bible teaching, or a gospel presentation
The team realizes that transparency does not require turning every service project into a worship service.
It requires accurately describing the organization and the event.
Shared Religious Vocabulary
The team also recognizes another transparency concern.
Several draft promotional materials use phrases such as:
total spiritual freedom
reaching your highest potential
discovering your true spiritual self
tools for successful living
spiritual technology for transformation
Benjamin selected these phrases because they seemed familiar and attractive within the local culture.
Pastor Andrew objects.
“These phrases may sound like Scientology language,” he says. “People could believe that we are offering a Christian version of Scientology practices.”
Carla adds:
“Christianity does not offer spiritual technology. We proclaim communion with the Triune God, salvation by grace, transformation through the Holy Spirit, and life within the body of Christ.”
The team decides not to borrow Scientology terminology merely to create familiarity.
They will use clearly Christian language and explain unfamiliar terms patiently.
Sponsoring-Church Review
New Hope Baptist Church asks the planting team to submit its website, event descriptions, financial procedures, leadership structure, and ministry plans for review.
The sponsoring church identifies several concerns:
the original website concealed the Baptist identity
the relationship with the sponsoring church was not disclosed
the community meal invitation did not explain its Christian sponsorship
the testimony was added without being announced
promotional language resembled Scientology terminology
the community-center director received an incomplete answer
no written policy governed public gospel presentations at service events
event leaders lacked a procedure for responding to complaints
The sponsoring church does not cancel the plant.
Instead, it requires the team to correct these weaknesses before holding another public event.
A Revised Public Identity
The team writes a new public statement:
Harbor Grace Church is a Christian Baptist church plant sponsored by New Hope Baptist Church. We are centered on Jesus Christ and the teaching of Scripture. We seek to worship God, make disciples, serve our neighbors, and provide welcoming spaces for honest questions. Our community-service events are open to people of every religious background. Participation in prayer, Bible study, worship, or religious conversation is always voluntary.
The website also includes:
the church’s beliefs
the names of accountable leaders
the sponsoring-church relationship
contact information
safeguarding commitments
financial accountability information
a description of different event types
a statement protecting freedom of conscience
a process for submitting questions or concerns
Clearly Describing Events
The team establishes three categories of gatherings.
Community-Service Events
These include neighborhood meals, cleanups, practical assistance, and family activities.
Advertisements state that Harbor Grace Church is the sponsor.
Religious participation is not required.
Prayer may be offered privately with permission, but no unannounced sermon or public evangelistic presentation is included.
Community Conversation Events
These include discussions about faith, life, culture, relationships, and community concerns.
Advertisements explain that Christian leaders will facilitate the conversation from an openly Christian perspective.
Participants may ask questions, disagree, or simply listen.
Worship and Bible Events
These include worship services, Bible studies, prayer meetings, and gospel presentations.
Advertisements state clearly that Scripture, prayer, Christian teaching, or worship will be included.
No one is required to pray aloud, disclose personal information, or make a public religious decision.
Returning to the Community Center
Pastor Andrew arranges another meeting with Ms. Grant.
He says:
“I want to clarify my earlier answer. Harbor Grace is a Baptist church plant sponsored by New Hope Baptist Church. We hope to rent space for some community events and, later, possibly for worship. We will accurately describe each event and will not require religious participation at community-service gatherings.”
Ms. Grant appreciates the correction.
“I cannot promise that everyone will welcome a Baptist church plant,” she says, “but I respect that you are being direct.”
The community center approves a limited rental arrangement for several clearly described events.
A Second Community Meal
The invitation to the next meal reads:
Harbor Grace Church, a Baptist church plant sponsored by New Hope Baptist Church, invites Harbor Point residents to a free community meal. This gathering is an expression of Christian neighbor love. No worship service or religious participation is required. Church leaders will be available for conversation or prayer upon request.
Attendance is lower than at the first meal.
Thirty-eight people come instead of sixty.
Benjamin feels disappointed.
“We lost people because we were too direct,” he says.
However, the conversations are more relaxed. Guests know who is hosting the gathering and what to expect.
Elena returns.
She tells Pastor Andrew:
“This invitation was much better. I still disagree with your theology, but I appreciate knowing where you stand.”
A former Scientologist named Rebecca also attends. She quietly tells Leah that she has been afraid of religious organizations but was encouraged by the church’s clear statement about voluntary participation.
She does not want to discuss her past, and Leah does not pressure her.
A Christian family attending the meal asks about the upcoming worship service. Two other guests express interest in an introductory discussion about the Gospel of John.
The event produces fewer attendees but greater clarity and trust.
A Difficult Leadership Question
During the team review, Pastor Andrew asks:
“Would we rather have sixty people attend under a mistaken impression or thirty-eight people attend with informed expectations?”
The team recognizes that attendance numbers alone cannot measure faithfulness.
They begin evaluating ministry through questions such as:
Did we describe ourselves truthfully?
Did guests know what to expect?
Did we serve without hidden conditions?
Did we respect freedom of conscience?
Did we speak accurately about Scientology?
Did we avoid borrowed or misleading vocabulary?
Did we protect privacy?
Did we operate under sponsoring-church accountability?
Did we create an appropriate opportunity for gospel conversation?
Did our conduct reflect the character of Jesus Christ?
Ministry Discernment Questions
Was the original website truthful enough, or did it conceal the church’s identity?
Why might religiously neutral language be misleading when used by a church plant?
What should Pastor Andrew have said when the community-center director asked about denominational affiliation?
What was wrong with adding an unannounced testimony to the first community meal?
How can a church serve openly as a Christian organization without turning every service event into a worship service?
Why does informed participation matter in permission-based ministry?
What can the church learn from Elena’s criticism?
Why should the church avoid borrowing Scientology phrases for Christian promotion?
How should Christian leaders explain shared words that carry different meanings?
What role should the sponsoring church have in reviewing public communication?
Is lower attendance necessarily evidence of ministry failure?
What measures of faithfulness should be considered alongside attendance?
How can the church respond when people wrongly assume that transparent Christian identity is hostility toward Scientology?
What procedures should govern prayer, testimony, and gospel presentation at community events?
How can Harbor Grace remain clearly Christian while protecting freedom of conscience?
Leadership Principles
Christian Identity Should Be Disclosed
A church should not hide its Christian, denominational, or sponsoring-church identity to gain access or attendance.
Transparency Allows Informed Participation
People should know whether an event includes Christian teaching, prayer, worship, or evangelistic presentation before deciding to attend.
Service Must Not Become Bait
Christian service should be motivated by neighbor love rather than used as a concealed method for gaining religious access.
Not Every Event Requires a Sermon
A church can identify itself openly while hosting service activities that do not include formal preaching or worship.
Religious Neutrality Is Not the Goal
Christian leaders should openly acknowledge their commitment to Jesus Christ and Scripture rather than pretending to speak from a view above all religions.
Shared Vocabulary Requires Clarification
Terms such as spirit, salvation, freedom, truth, transformation, and eternal life may carry different meanings within Scientology and Christianity.
Familiar Language Can Become Misleading
Borrowing Scientology terminology may create confusion and make Christianity appear to be another spiritual technology.
Accountability Protects Public Trust
A sponsoring church should review the church plant’s leadership, finances, communication, safeguarding, doctrine, and public ministry practices.
Attendance Is Not the Highest Measure
A smaller gathering characterized by truthfulness and informed participation may be healthier than a larger gathering produced through incomplete disclosure.
Trust Is Built Through Consistency
Public trust grows when a church accurately describes events, keeps its promises, protects privacy, receives correction, and admits mistakes.
Team Practice Exercise
Rewrite each statement so that it is transparent, respectful, and clearly Christian.
Original Statement
“Join us for a neutral exploration of spiritual truth.”
Revised Statement
Original Statement
“Discover spiritual technology that will help you reach your full potential.”
Revised Statement
Original Statement
“This is only a community meal.”
Revised Statement
Original Statement
“We are not really connected to any denomination.”
Revised Statement
Original Statement
“You can attend without knowing that we will present the gospel.”
Revised Statement
Final Reflection
Harbor Grace Church faced a genuine ministry temptation.
Its leaders wanted people to hear the gospel, but they feared that transparent Christian identity would cause some residents to stay away.
That fear encouraged them to use incomplete descriptions, neutral language, borrowed spiritual terminology, and an unannounced Christian testimony.
The team eventually recognized that the gospel does not require hidden motives.
A Christian church can be both clear and welcoming.
It can identify itself openly, serve without conditions, invite questions, request permission, proclaim Jesus Christ, and respect a person’s freedom to disagree.
Transparency may reduce attendance at some events. It may also protect trust, clarify expectations, strengthen accountability, and create more honest relationships.
The church plant’s calling is not to attract people through ambiguity.
Its calling is to become a faithful Christian presence.
Harbor Grace learned to say clearly:
We are Christians.
We are Baptists.
We are accountable to a sponsoring church.
We desire to serve our neighbors.
We will speak honestly about Jesus Christ.
We will not hide our intentions.
We will not pressure people to participate.
We will respect freedom of conscience.
And we will trust the Holy Spirit with the outcome.