Not just for Pastors-Many people think that only preachers can lead people to Christ, but Jesus said to His disciples, “Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men. While there have been times when evangelists like George Whitefield and Billy Graham have risen to call God’s people to repentance, the main response has come mainly from within the body of believers. Few outside the church responded until revival had swept through the church and unbelievers saw the change in the life of believers and wanted that life. When the church has had a highly trained and highly paid clergy, the church has generally not been very effective in reaching the lost because members leave evangelism to the clergy. The greatest inflow of unchurched people occurred during the early church before they had paid clergy, during the Wesleyan revival when Wesley organized small groups of converts under lay pastor’s, and in the American wilderness when believers gathered to pray and study the Bible while waiting for the Lord to send them a pastor. Although John Wesley and George Whitfield preached extensively and circuit riders rode throughout the American wilderness establishing churches, members of those churches continued to reach out to those around them, inviting unbelievers to hear the traveling preachers. It has been said that church isn’t a haven for saints but one beggar telling another where to find bread.
Archive for the ‘Church ministry’ Category
Fifth Sunday of Eastertide-May 25
Develop new ministries Our society glorifies personal accomplishments, but we are limited as we try to accomplish things alone. The church needs to take this time to help members discover where they can use their gifts in current ministries and survey the community to discover the needs around it so it can develop new ways to minister to those in need and use the gifts of those who don’t fit in current ministries. Many churches continue to put their effort into the same old ministries it has always carried out and fail to take advantage of newly discovered gifts and the changing needs around it. The church also needs to introduce its members to Christian Social Service agencies that may have need of their talents.
Fourth Sunday of Eastertide-May 18
Seek Gifts Eastertide is a time of preparation for ministry. The disciples prayed together for the power (Holy Spirit) Jesus had promised. The church should be united in prayer as we seek the gifts that God has given us and where God would have us use our gifts. Although it is a personal search, it should be undertaken together with the church, seeking guidance and feedback from our fellow believers. We need the support and direction of the body of Christ to help us locate our individual gifts because we often confuse where we want to serve (because of the prestige) with where we are gifted to serve and would enjoy serving. Those who know us can help us explore various areas of service to see where we can contribute our gifts. Too often the church pressures people to serve where there is an opening even when the person does not enjoy it or have the needed gifts. (See “The Important I” which I wrote to help those seeking God’s will for their life).
Third Sunday of Eastertide-May 11
You shall receive power-Acts 1:4-12-Jesus’ appears to the disciples in Jerusalem-Jesus promised He would not leave them alone but would send the Holy Spirit. He promised that the Holy Spirit would be with them until He returned and would guide them and strengthen them. He then commanded them to stay in the city until they received the Holy Spirit. We are not to set out to be His witnesses until we receive the Spirit for we cannot do it effectively without the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit.
Making America Great Again-O
– Many churches today struggle with declining memberships and have difficulty attracting new members. It seems like people are no longer interested in spiritual things. Many church leaders feel the church is no longer relevant and are trying to change the way they do things to make the church seem more relevant. In addition, they down play the Christian message or ignore it altogether because they think that it is offensive to people. In fact, the Christian message is relevant and is needed more now than it was 60-70 years ago. The fact is, the church is not getting its message out. Those things that worked 60-70 years ago no longer work.
The number one question I am asked by pastors in America is how to get people more involved in the church. Many churches are constantly struggling to carry on with only a few members actively involved. People used to be actively involved but over the years it has become more and more difficult, until it is very difficult to get people to help. However, the problem is much deeper. While many pastors say that their churches are going well otherwise, I do not find that to be the case. When I survey churches, I am primarily concerned about whether they are fulfilling Christ’s command to win the lost and make disciples, because that is how God measures the church. Many churches have not had a single conversion in years. All their new members come from those who have previously been members elsewhere, in spite of the fact that the portion of the population that has a church background continues to shrink. Yet churches overseas are experiencing unbelievable growth as many unbelievers flock to the church. What is the difference?
They are not doing very well at making disciples either. In many churches, members are little different than unbelievers though they have been members for many years. If Jesus came to show us a better way, why aren’t Christians living out that new life and why aren’t they eager to serve God? Many members struggle with balancing what they hear in church with what they hear from the world around them. They may pay lip service to the teachings of the church but do not live them out in their everyday life. .
Seciond Sunday of Eastertide-May 4
Of One Accord As the discipled prayed for power, they were united in one purpose. They concentrated on the job ahead and focused their attention on what was needed. This should also be a time when the church concentrates on what needs to be done and what the church will need to carry it out. Summer is a good time for the church to concentrate its resources on reaching the lost while children are out of school, younger workers have the time, and weather is at its best. It should begin gathering what it will need to carry out its mission during Eastertide to be ready when summer begins. However, many churches have lost interest in Pentecost and no longer focus on reaching the lost during the summer. As a result, they do not do anything during the rest of the year when people are often busy with school and other activities.
Eighth Sunday of Epiphany-March 2
Family Support-Single mothers are more likely than married couples to be cut off from their family. While moving in search of jobs often takes couples away from their families, the families often keep in touch and help each other in time of need but single mothers often come from dysfunctional families that are separated by more than distance. Many grew up in families torn apart by strife and even when they live near their family, there is often little contact and less support. Many were unable to develop trust growing up and are isolated from those around them because of their inability to trust others. Many desperately need to feel wanted and that someone cares about them. Many men use that need to prey upon them, but the Church can show them that God cares about them through ministering to them. Many have no one to whom they can vent their frustration and may become frustrated with the kid’s constant demands, causing them to lash out at the kids. Those women often need temporary relief from the stress of child-care. The church can provide play dates where the mothers get together, and they can visit with the other mothers while they watch the kids together. Older Christian women can initiate friendships where they can get together with young mothers living near them when they put the kids down for their naps. The older women in the church can take young mothers in the church under their wing and minister to them, providing encouragement and comfort, as well as someone safe the mother can vent to.
Seventh Sunday of Epiphany-B-Feb 23
Lack of Social Interaction Many single mothers are under tremendous pressure with no one to help them. They are often working and trying to keep house as well. Many are constantly tied down with the kids and have no one to watch the kids while they shop or attend other activities. Providing child care during church programs can free such women to relax and enjoy the activities and may enable them to attend where they might not otherwise be able to. With many families having no more than one or two children, children are often isolated. Child care will also provide opportunity for children to interact with other children in informal activity. Older Christian women can watch the kids for short periods or two mothers can take turns watching both sets of kids while the other one shops or just has some quiet time. Women’s activities at church with child care also helps. Many mothers of young children, especially single mothers and wives whose husbands work long hours or are away a lot, are isolated taking care of their children, especially if they don’t work and yearn for an adult to talk to.
Seventh Sunday of Epiphany-A-Feb 23
The Single Parent The sad fact is that there are more adults who are single in America today than those who are married. Many of those are single parents with young children. While being a single parent is widely accepted in our society today, it is not easy because it lacks the basic necessities for bringing up children. With a married couple, the man can work and the wife can take care of the kids. Our society has been infused with greed so many wives now work to provide the luxuries of life. As a result, our society now has adjusted to the new-found wealth when both parents to work, so two incomes has become a necessity, not just a luxury. That often forces women to work, even when they don’t want to. With single mothers, if the father remains nearby, the parents often fight over and often in the presence of the children. In addition, the majority of the children of single mothers lack a stable father and if the woman has a boyfriend, he often provides a very poor example of being a father and often doesn’t stay very long. Many of the problems of our society today stem directly from the lack of stable marriages in many homes. If these children are to grow up and establish stable families, they need Christian couples to work with them so both boys and girls, as well as their parent, can see a stable marriage relationship and how men and women should relate to each other.
Fifth Sunday of Epiphany-Feb 9
–Volunteer at food Banks/Community meal sites. As the cost of food and other expenses rise and incomes fall, money becomes tight and families must choose between paying the rent and purchasing food. Many are turning to food banks for help. Food banks are facing rising demand and need donations of paper products not covered by food stamps and food, as well as money to meet operating costs. In addition, they need volunteers to help collect food, sort the food, stock shelves, and assist clients. Many churches are also starting congregate meals for the homeless and for elderly and single residents that do not otherwise get adequate nutrition. Donations of food are needed as well as volunteers to assist with cooking, setting up facilities, serving clients, and cleaning up afterward. Many such meals are run completely by volunteers with donated food.