Expected Comfort

Lately, people have repeatedly said the words: "Unbearably hot". It IS hot, but unbearably? No. A friend who is working in the Middle East was recently home. When he left there, the temperature was 132. So, I can safely say our 109 high yesterday is bearable though certainly uncomfortable.
Comfort is something that we have come to expect. I'm writing this from a car dealership waiting room where it is cool, they have nice furniture, cable TV, coffee, restrooms are all immediately available. A far-cry from sitting on a stack of tires next to the desk in a garage. As would have been the expectation during most of the 20th century.
When they walk into the church facilities, what do folks expect? Is there a difference in expectations between a follower of Christ and an atheist? Statistics tell us that 80% of atheists will attend church on a given Sunday, if invited. 
How important is personal comfort? People have different comfort needs. Who gets to be comfortable? Is it exclusive to facilities? What about an "uncomfortable message"? 
In 1 Corinthians 9, the Apostle Paul wrote, "I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to share the Good News and share in its blessing."
Do the followers of Christ understand this God-given, Pauline principle? Do we care about the unsaved to the degree of discomfort in our facilities, music style, and programming?
As a church leader, I'm challenged by Paul to "step out of my comfort zone". I dislike that phrase because it overused and seldom achieved. But it is accurate.
The bottom line is: Christ did not call us to a life of comfort, rather sacrifice.