Are people "really" interested in the gospel? One could probably get many diverse answers to this question, but only one would be correct, "Yes!" Let me explain.
It is my observation that people are not turning away from the gospel of Christ, but from the sordid displays of religiosity prevalent in today's world. The actions of churches and evangelists are so flagrantly opposite of the gospel they are driving good people into the shadows of disinterest. For one, I cannot blame them too much! The displays that are seen on nearly every "electronic church" broadcast are enough to drive any thinking person away from any type of organized religion. The outrageous cosmetics on some and the shamefully misleading visual aids of others and everything in betwee are driving people away from the purity and simplicity of the gospel.
The blatant involvement of "organized" churches in politics, racial bias, recreation, and other parts of society are seen as deterrents by those who know that Christ did not live and die for such matters. The pandering of publicity that goes along with some churches as they do their "good deeds" is seen as pretentious by those who are seeking a relationship with a loving Savior. The gospel is not being rejected, but the shameful display of religion is!
In recent days I have been reminded of the desire people have for the message of faith, hope, and love that is imbedded in the gospel of Christ. A small church in Kentucky recently went door to door seeking those who were interested in hearing the gospel story. They knocked on nearly 1500 doors in a week's time and found one-third of the folk at home. They shared the gospel or set a time to share the gospel with about 20% of those who were home. The report that I received identified ten who had already obeyed the gospel (four last Monday evening) and the small band of disciples are still following up all the leads. This was not a national ministry coming to town to work for these folk, but rather a small band of devoted Christians who desire to take the gospel to their part of the world. The church here in Williamsburg has had the same type of reaction when we have made a concentrated effort to reach out to our community! Knocking on doors works...it works every time everywhere!
I would hope that other churches will take an interest in knocking on the doors of their community to give those who are quietly seeking the truth a chance to hear the message of Christ. It is highly possible that there are those in every town that know the truth, but have been so turned off by the faulty faith advocated by some churches they will never be out seeking a church, just the truth! Why not give them the opportunity to know a little bit more about us?
Think about it!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
God WILL Send People...but why?
I have had the pleasure to live in Williamsburg, Virginia for twelve years now and I am looking forward to spending several more years working with the church that meets on Merrimac Trail. We are a church with an average attendance of 165-175. We have four brothers serving as elders and twenty-two brothers working as deacons. Our teaching force includes about 16 regular teachers and several substitutes. I wanted to share these figures with you to let you know that we are pretty much an "average" size church within our fellowship. An average size church in a very old and affluent community!
The real story here is that these figures reflect the current situation, but do not accurately reflect our immediate past history. The picture during the latter years of the 20th century were much bleaker. An average attendance of 110, three elders, no deacons, six Sunday school teachers and one Wednesday night teacher (there were no graded classes during the mid-week service because there was no reason to have any).
Why has God blessed us so greatly during the first decade of the 21st century? The answer is clear: prayer. God in his goodness answered our fervent prayers! It is a bit like, "when all else fails, why not pray?" The church here tried a number of things immediately prior to determining that only God could make this church grow! Our efforts were in vain. So, in 1999 we turned our chances of growth over to God! Our prayer was simple, "God, send us people and we will make every effort to be your church in this place at this time!"
Within a short time during this concerted effort to plead for His help, we began to see people coming through our church building doors that we had never seen. People were relocating to our community from all over the country bringing with them a fresh spiritual fervor that we had been missing. These were talented people! Elders and deacons who had retired from secular work and decided that Williamsburg would be a good place to live. Some folk serving in the military that were being stationed in our immediate area and decided to work with our church family. They just kept coming! Incredibly devoted and talented Christian brothers and sisters.
However, God did not stop there...He never does! He began to send people here who were searching for a church that would accept them, love them, and share with them the truth. These were not people "like us," but folk who were needy on many different levels. They were needing guidance, assistance, loving relationships, and much, much more. When we ask God to send us people we did not tell Him what kind of people...just people! To this day (nearly ten years later), He continues to send us people and we warmly accept them!
My point is simple. If we are willing to minister to those who are "needy" and can do so with an open and accepting heart, God will send us people! He will send us Christians who want to serve and are needing an environment that will allow them to serve. He will send us struggling families who need help to survive in this tough world. He will send those with addictive personalities that desire to be free. He will send us folk who have made major mistakes in their lives and are paying for those bad decisions. Yes, all kinds of folk!
The real story here is that these figures reflect the current situation, but do not accurately reflect our immediate past history. The picture during the latter years of the 20th century were much bleaker. An average attendance of 110, three elders, no deacons, six Sunday school teachers and one Wednesday night teacher (there were no graded classes during the mid-week service because there was no reason to have any).
Why has God blessed us so greatly during the first decade of the 21st century? The answer is clear: prayer. God in his goodness answered our fervent prayers! It is a bit like, "when all else fails, why not pray?" The church here tried a number of things immediately prior to determining that only God could make this church grow! Our efforts were in vain. So, in 1999 we turned our chances of growth over to God! Our prayer was simple, "God, send us people and we will make every effort to be your church in this place at this time!"
Within a short time during this concerted effort to plead for His help, we began to see people coming through our church building doors that we had never seen. People were relocating to our community from all over the country bringing with them a fresh spiritual fervor that we had been missing. These were talented people! Elders and deacons who had retired from secular work and decided that Williamsburg would be a good place to live. Some folk serving in the military that were being stationed in our immediate area and decided to work with our church family. They just kept coming! Incredibly devoted and talented Christian brothers and sisters.
However, God did not stop there...He never does! He began to send people here who were searching for a church that would accept them, love them, and share with them the truth. These were not people "like us," but folk who were needy on many different levels. They were needing guidance, assistance, loving relationships, and much, much more. When we ask God to send us people we did not tell Him what kind of people...just people! To this day (nearly ten years later), He continues to send us people and we warmly accept them!
My point is simple. If we are willing to minister to those who are "needy" and can do so with an open and accepting heart, God will send us people! He will send us Christians who want to serve and are needing an environment that will allow them to serve. He will send us struggling families who need help to survive in this tough world. He will send those with addictive personalities that desire to be free. He will send us folk who have made major mistakes in their lives and are paying for those bad decisions. Yes, all kinds of folk!
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