People Spots
Online
Produced by James W.
Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants
Provided as a service by New Life Ministries
When Is the Right Time?
This is the right time for a church to reach out to people with the good news of Jesus Christ.
by James W. Moss, Sr.
When is the right time for a church to develop a concern for growth? I have heard that question scores of times over the past two decades. Paul addresses this issue in 2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV: ". . . behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation. When should a concern for growth emerge? Now! Immediately, if not sooner! When is the best time? Today! A desire to win the lost must drive our concern.
In the Churches of God, we profess a belief that if a person doesn’t accept Jesus Christ as personal savior, that person will spend an eternity in hell. That belief drives a real sense of urgency and immediacy. The fate of relatives, friends, and neighbors will be eternally sealed at the point of their death. Whatever decision they make about Jesus must be made by the time they die. The uncertainty of life becomes increasingly apparent as one grows older. There are no guarantees for tomorrow. Paul again writes, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How, then, shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:13-14 KJV). For Paul the term preacher didn't imply a professional clergyperson but rather a witness. This witness is someone who shares the Word.
The motivation for growth must be pure. "Why?" is one of the first words of a small child. A congregation going through self-evaluation will hear members raise the age old question "Why?" when needs for meaningful conservation and outreach are described. There is a two-fold motive sufficient to justify the efforts necessary. That motive must be a commitment to the gospel and love for people. That needs emphasis. It is not enough to invite people to church to increase the numbers. It is not proper to encourage others to attend church to help pay the bills. It is not sufficient to bring our neighbors to insure that the church survives. The only proper motivation is a deep, abiding, commitment to the gospel and love for people.
A Christian’s love for others must be rooted in a relationship with Jesus. Because of love for God, Christians are compelled to love people. God takes our vertical love for Him and reflects it horizontally to the people around us. God is explicit in this redirection. A love for God that does not result in a genuine love for people is impossible.
Why perpetuate the church? Enveloped by the love of God, a Christian longs to share in the body of Christ in the world. The individual who confesses the Lordship of Christ is a member of God’s universal Church. Local congregations are the physical manifestation of that universal body. It is impossible to be an isolated Christian. The Christian faith demands fellowship. Isn’t it natural to desire others to share in the same blessings and benefits that we have experienced. Others need Jesus in the same way we do.
I was once standing in a lovely sanctuary. A beautiful stained glass window was behind the pulpit. The colors were rich and vibrant. The window’s beauty could only be appreciated in the daytime by being in the building. The majesty of the window could only be seen in the darkness when outside the building while the lights were on inside. A cross with electric lights hung in front of that window. The lighting of that cross brought every facet of that window to life.
The full significance of Jesus and his love can be appreciated only by those inside the fellowship of the church. Human beings have an inherent need that can be satisfied only in that fellowship. A Christian must leave the building to go into the world where real life is lived. Lives must be guided by light emanating from Christ. Such will guide us past the doors of a building into a darkened world in the light of the cross.
The Strategy
1. Pray for the Lord to give you eyes to see the fields that are white with harvest.
2. Pray for workers who will develop relationships with the lost.
3. Pray that the Lord will give the church the capacity to make the changes that will make the church visitor friendly.
4. Have the pastor invite someone that no one in the church knows to come for a visit and then write a report on the experience.
5. Look at the community around the church. What three "seeker events" could the church conduct over the next 12 months to encourage unchurched persons to attend? ("Seeker events" are events designed to attract lost people to the facility.)
6. Have the pastor preach a series of four sermons on the theme of "lostness."
7. Have four different persons share their testimony of the transformation that conversion has brought to their lives.
8. Conduct a class that simply explains how a person may lead another person to Jesus Christ.
9. Encourage a minimum of six persons in your church to befriend an unchurched person and spend quality time with that person.
10. Encourage a minimum of six people to read one of the books listed below.
Good Books to Read:
Robert E. Coleman. Nothing to Do But
Save Souls. Zondervan, 1990.
George G. Hunter. How to Reach
Secular People. Abingdon, 1992.
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Read about Jim's seminars and books.
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August 10, 2000. Volume 3, Issue 12. People Spots Online is prepared by James W. Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants. It is provided as a service by New Life Ministries, www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org. Articles may be duplicated and reproduced in any way. A new article is produced about every two weeks. To be added to a list to receive these messages directly by e-mail, send a request to churchconsultants@yahoo.com.