Tag: ministry

  • Programs Guaranteed to Grow Your Church?

    wooden toolboxes

    The church is full of program junkies. We seem to have a fascination for the “latest and greatest” from our best-selling Christian leaders or speakers. It comes from our heartfelt desire to see people come to Christ and the church grow. That’s a healthy desire.

    Oftentimes, there is solid meat in the product or program, but we tend to throw out the good things we have going for us and jump on the latest bandwagon without a second thought.

    I’m not going to name them, because some of them really work in certain situations. Yet, if you have been a believer for any length of time, you could probably name several of these fad programs without thinking too hard about it.

    The problem comes when we adopt these tools as “the” solution for the church’s problems. Then they become idols instead of tools. 

    Do not be afraid to try a new program or product, but weigh it out against what God is calling you to do and be. We are not called to be identical. Perhaps, it did work well at ”my old church”, but that isn’t a guarantee it will work at your new church.

    Just because First National Reformed Bapticostal down the road is running “How to Grow Your Church in Ten Easy Steps With No Effort” does not mean you have to do so. It may or may not work for First National Reformed Bapticostal Non-denominational Free Church., but remember that you are not First National Reformed Bapticostal, a non-denominational free church.

    The fact that your favorite televangelist is saying that his new book, “Jesus … Know Him As Only I Do,” is a “must read” does not mean your Christian walk will be incomplete without it.

    There is nothing wrong with new things or new methods. We need to always be checking that we are relevant (without ever compromising the truth) and be willing to adapt. Use them (or any other program or tool) as they fit, but do not confuse them with what the old snake oil salesmen cry, “Good for what ails you, and if nothing ails you, it is good for that too.”

    It is simplistic in a way, but the key to success does not rest in methodology. It rests in being obedient to God’s call for you and the congregation you are affiliated with. Churches grow and reach people by loving them, accepting them (but not compromising on their sin), and pointing them to Jesus Christ as the answer to their problems.

    Please understand, I’m not against programs or books. They can be great, they just aren’t the perfect solution for your church

    The Bible does not lay out a formal program, but it does lay out some principles.

    Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 24

    Maybe, just maybe if we did those two things well, we could fulfill our mandate as a church.

    Perhaps King Solomon was on to something when he said

    The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd.  Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.  Ecclesiastes 12:11-14

    Use the tools that God makes available, but with wisdom and discretion. Try the Jesus plan first and foremost “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment and love your neighbor as yourself.”

    Until next time, may your life be filled with the love of Christ.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Every Member Is Necessary — 1 Corinthians 12

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  • Belonging brings responsibility

    I sat in the coffee shop, chatting with someone I just met. Somehow, the topic of conversation became faith and the church. My new friend adamantly informed me,  “I don’t need to go to church. I know Jesus, and that’s all that matters.”

    Knowing Jesus is ultimately what matters, but we are to attend worship with other believers. For those in isolated areas where it’s unsafe to worship, that might not be an option, but there is no excuse for the bulk of the people who read Gleanings.

    Lots of people have plenty of excuses not to attend. Here’s a partial list. I’m sure you’ve heard and likely used at least some of them.

    • The preaching is boring.
    • The preacher preaches too much/little from the Bible; is too academic/not academic enough; preaches too long/not long enough.
    • The music is too fast/slow/loud/old/new.
    • They are too formal/informal.
    • The people are too friendly/unfriendly.
    • They have/don’t have pews/organs/stained glass/pastoral robes.
    • The service is too long/short, too demonstrative/not demonstrative enough.
    • There is too much/not enough emphasis on the Holy Spirit.
    • They do/don’t ordain women.
    • They are too active/not active enough in outreach/missions/politics/social action.
    • They talk too much about money, or there isn’t enough emphasis on stewardship.
    • Services times are too early/too late.
    • The pastor is too young/old.
    • The congregation is too big/small.

    Have I hit a nerve yet? Have I stepped on your sacred cow? It’s time to recognize that these are simply excuses that hurt you and the local congregation.

    Why attend worship?

    Some surveys I’ve read show that more than 90% of professing Christians who attend church regularly go because a given church meets the needs of that individual and his/her family. Did you know that’s the wrong reason to attend church?

    First and foremost, the church is not primarily about you. Did you know that? Church isn’t about going and feeling good or about having your needs met. Those things can and do happen, but they aren’t the reason we go. We go to glorify God and to minister to others.

    For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts,yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 1 Corinthians 12:14-26 ESV

    All true believers belong to the family of God and the church. We are called to be active members. Membership isn’t a ticket to sit around; it is a privilege that comes with responsibility.

    When you don’t attend and take an active role, someone else in the body suffers for your absence. That someone might need your ministry. Conversely, that person might be deprived of their ministry to you.

    Not attending is a very selfish act. The whole body misses out when parts don’t show up to do their bit.

    Can you get to heaven without going to church? Yes! Salvation is by grace and not measured by how often we go. Will the body of Christ be poorer for your absence? Yes? Will you be missing out big time? Absolutely.

    Until next time, quit making excuses. It’s time to take an active role in the local congregation.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

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