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A Worshipping, Praying, Learning, Nurturing, Sharing Community |
Nov 21, 2008 - 05:51 AM |
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The Spirit equips each believing Christian with gifts and skills, and opens doors of opportunity to use them in witness and service to other people. Christ stressed love, honesty, justice, diligence, active caring for others, and reconciliation. Our societies need Christ’s kind of reconciliation more than eve. Reaching people with the gospel message is the most important aspect of this ministry of reconciliation. The other part of a reconciliation ministry is that Christ liberates us all to live in solidarity with God and each other. New Creation has been called in mission to invite those without a church into God’s family, nurture all people with God’s love, serve within the community and send people out to serve others. Everything we do should reflect our mission. How will we answer that call?
The importance of sharing the word of the gospel with others cannot be overemphasized. Jesus wants everyone to hear the good news of salvation (Mark 16:15, “ And he said to them, “ Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.”) and has provided the gospel as God’s power to save all who believe it (Romans 1:16-17, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith…, “The one who is righteous will live by faith”). But what is the most effective way to reach people today? The Institute For American Church Growth asked over 10,000 people this question” What was responsible for your coming to Christ and this church?” Their replies were:
I had a special need – 3%
I liked the minister – 3%
I liked the Bible classes – 5%
I liked the programs – 3%
I just walked in – 3%
I visited there – 1%
A friend or relative invited me – 79%
What can we learn from a survey like this? The obvious point of the survey is this: IF CHURCHES ARE TO GROW, IT WILL BE THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS! Preachers, programs, classes may help, but in most cases they will only maintain the size of the congregation. Such congregational efforts are worthwhile, however for they can reach people with whom we might otherwise never come into contact. Each of us has daily contact with many people who need the gospel of Christ. We need to utilize the contacts made through the members.
We must also follow up contacts made through the members. This is known as “friendship” evangelism (also known as “relationship” or “lifestyle” evangelism). We can start by making a list of those you wish to invite. Start with those who are close to you and work outwardly: family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, regular church service visitors, and casual acquaintances. Give priority to those who are not active members of any particular religion.
Pray daily for those on your list. Why pray? First, that God will work together with you.. To give you “opportunities” to do good for them, “wisdom” to make the most of those opportunities, and “boldness” to say what needs to be said.
We are but servants whom God can use in His works. Simple “hospitality” and “neighborliness” will go a long way in giving you the opportunity to do good towards them. The next step would be to invite those on your list to attend services.
There are several good reasons for wanting them to attend the services of the local church.. they will have an opportunity to see a caring congregation in action and they will more than likely have an opportunity to be presented with the gospel of Christ.
The next step is to demonstrate hospitality towards these visitors who do attend. This would apply to all visitors, whether they were invited by you, someone else, or are simply “walk-ins”. Greet them and let them know they are welcome, invite them to your home or out to eat, and/or calling or visiting them after they have attended the services. Showing such love towards those who may even be “strangers” is the true meaning of hospitality. By demonstrating love as a congregation of Christians.. they will be more likely to believe in the love of God demonstrated in the life of Christ!
Finally, we are ready for the most important step in all our efforts.. See that they have an opportunity to hear the gospel. Remember the survey by The Institute For American Church Growth? One does not even have to be able to teach to be effective in leading others to Christ! One simply has to be a FRIEND to Christians and to the lost! This is also a way to become better CHRISTIANS, a better CONGREGATION, better FRIENDS, and better NEIGHBORS.
I Peter 4:8-11 “ Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you have received.. Whomever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whomever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen
Linda Doering
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