Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?…Matthew 9:11b.

On the other hand there was a positive outcome to this visit because this man was impressed with the friendliness of the people and decided to attend a men's breakfast the next week. The discipleship process has begun. 

Jesus valued attending worship in the synagogue. He made it a regular practice to participate and we have record of him reading Scripture, revealing his divine mission, and performing healing miracles in the synagogue.  

On other days of the week though he went to where the regular folk hung out. This got him the reputation of a person who associated with tax collectors and sinners.

In Hanoi, Vietnam an international church has gained favor with the authorities by deliberately serving the community through an outreach called Love Hanoi. Through Love Hanoi the church engages with existing social agencies to help with need in the community and to bring the light of Jesus into these places. One official stated: "Now I understand. You Christians are here to do good." 

Inviting family, friends, co-workers and others to go on a journey of discovery about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus is another way to bring people into an relationship with Jesus. This approach is much less intimidating for them than walking into a church the first time. 

The bottom line is we need to model what Jesus did. He fully participated in the life of the Synagogue on the Sabbath and He was fully engaged in the community at other times. This strategy will work jus as well today as it did during Jesus' time on earth.