Are people who don't have a faith in Christ still part of our churches?

Here's a confronting and challenging post from Joe Khan over on the City North Young Adult blog.  It's something I'd been thinking about recently in regards to our youth group and our 2011 vision to be a Christ Centred, Servant Hearted, Outward Focused Youth Community.   Are those who aren't saved still part of that community?  What then is the defining point of being in community (either youth group or Church)?  Is there a difference between the City North Baptist Community, and the City North Baptist Church?

Here's some of what Pastor Joe has to say

The main challenge is what to do with unsaved folk who are absorbed into the life and community of a church fellowship without actually converting to Christianity. The problem is that the longer they are part of the community, the harder it becomes to distinguish whether or not they have faith in Christ. It is natural for people to become like the communities they spend time in, so an unsaved person can through simple attendance begin to undergo a transformation of character and begin to have a lifestyle that resembles many of the other people in a church. But you can't get saved by osmosis! Every person needs to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ... 

Therefore the question must be asked: Do people need faith in Christ to be considered part of a church community?

Read the rest on the Young Adults blog