Finding Purchase

[The Story Teller]

Finding Purchase

Standing in line at the local Wal-Mart, crowds gathered in long lines, pushing carts forward.

Reaching out with the last of their patience, parents called out to children, reminding them time and time again to pay attention, to follow them, stay within view.

With baskets heaping, each slowly worked their way up, swapping stories or commiserating with their neighbors. Others, choosing to forgo wobbly wheeled carts, carried their light wares, or groaning under cumbersome weights, tried to reposition heavy burdens in their arms, standing silent as they waited.

Kids, being kids-poked and teased siblings, reached out for temptations within their grasp...hopped around on one foot...draped themselves over slightly sticky with candy metal baskets. Infants, wrapped in soft layers of blanket nests, slept peacefully, sung and secured in carriers hooked to carts.

A Greeter, who stood right inside the doorway's entrance, did what he did best: greet each person. Personally. With class and style, he acknowledged all. No one sneaked by without a comment, a smile, a word.

Crowded...oh yes. The noise of life being spent within the walls of opportunity hummed loud as voices merged with machine and slowly faded out the door-to be replaced by more.
And I couldn't help but wonder: how come our churches aren't like that?

by-karen
Submitted by Richard

 

[freyajem]

I was just wondering that today Richard.

So few people in church. So little enthusiasm. The store provides a variety of interests for the people. Sometimes church is so somber. I think Christ provided lots of interesting action for His people. Maybe we need to do that.

 

[The Story Teller]

I was just wondering that today Richard.

So few people in church. So little enthusiasm. The store provides a variety of interests for the people. Sometimes church is so somber. I think Christ provided lots of interesting action for His people. Maybe we need to do that.

They want to be entertained..

 

[freyajem]

What's wrong with being entertained just enough to make church an interesting place to go see what is happening this week or what different will be going on. I think Christ entertained His people. He walked on water, healed people, like magic.....very interesting......very compelling. I sense that there was never a dull moment with Christ.

 

[The Story Teller]

What's wrong with being entertained just enough to make church an interesting place to go see what is happening this week or what different will be going on. I think Christ entertained His people. He walked on water, healed people, like magic.....very interesting......very compelling. I sense that there was never a dull moment with Christ.

That's it in a nut shell. Jesus was a very dynamic person. If HE were here today I'm sure the Churches would be packed where ever HE was preaching. But the sad fact is that HE'S not. We have preachers that are good and some not so good. So, the question again becomes what do we have to do to bring more people in? I don't know the answer to that. I have some ideas but I don't think the older people would agree or if they did they still wouldn't do it.

We could bring in some really great praise bands and hold revivals. It would drive the older people nuts, but it would bring in the younger people. My motto would be, “We’ll catch them and HE will Clean them.” This would have to be on more than just Sundays. We would have something like this at least two or three times a week. At first there wouldn’t be many but the word would spread. After a while we’d have tons of young people attending. It would be during this time that the people of the congregation would move in the crowd and talk to the young people. Pretty soon they’d want to join in and help. Little by little we’d draw them in.

 

[freyajem]

WOW Richard

I am with you. But could we have praise bands that were just a bit less noisy and revival toned down just a bit so as to bring in the young people but not drive out the older people. I love music and would love to be there with you raking them in and cleaning them up. Sounds so good. I think we are getting there Richard.....it just takes time.

 

[The Story Teller]

WOW Richard

I am with you. But could we have praise bands that were just a bit less noisy and revival toned down just a bit so as to bring in the young people but not drive out the older people. I love music and would love to be there with you raking them in and cleaning them up. Sounds so good. I think we are getting there Richard.....it just takes time.

I would start off with the band called MercyMe. Anyone who loves music would love them..

 

[llghoney]

I just read this story & the question is why aren't the people excited about the GOOD news??? YEs, the music is great & all but it is up to us to be a witness.

God bless

You & freyajem have some good ideas!!

 

[Storm Chaser]

This subject has been one on my mind for several weeks and it has apparently been on others minds too as this thread has proven.

Something happened in the church I attend last year and we lost alot of people including some prominent leaders, even attendance in Home Fellowships had dropped. Previous to this occurance God was working mightily there and I know the enemy was angered and tried to destroy the credibility that had been gained for God's Kingdom. I am glad to say that in Jesus name the enemy has lost. Easter Sunday there were people having to stand (and willing to do so) in order to attend church.

Curiosity seekers? News Reporters? Circus Followers?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! We even had a family come from
another country to visit our congregation. This was not the first time this has happened...even on a Sunday that held no other specific occassion other than being the Lord's Day. Do we have revival bands set for revival?
Special guest speakers each week? Anything?

I'll tell you what they saw...they saw what Jesus followers saw...God's unconditional love, His mercy and His grace. People don't care how much we know or what gimmicks we have until they see how much we really care. People today are searching for love in all the wrong places...when God gave us the Great Commission he didn't tell us to stop with preaching the Gospel, or even with Baptism. We are to show them God's unconditional love, mentor them, train them up in the Lord to do the same exact thing that someone else trained us to do. A complete circle. We are the only Bible that some people will ever read and when others look into our face... this may be the only time on earth that some will ever look into the face of God.

Got to go for now...May God richly bless you and yours always and forever!

Storm Chaser \0/ ><>

 

[The Story Teller]

I just read this story & the question is why aren't the people excited about the GOOD news??? YEs, the music is great & all but it is up to us to be a witness.

God bless

You & freyajem have some good ideas!!

We catch them and HE cleans them..

 

[The Story Teller]

This subject has been one on my mind for several weeks and it has apparently been on others minds too as this thread has proven.

Something happened in the church I attend last year and we lost alot of people including some prominent leaders, even attendance in Home Fellowships had dropped. Previous to this occurance God was working mightily there and I know the enemy was angered and tried to destroy the credibility that had been gained for God's Kingdom. I am glad to say that in Jesus name the enemy has lost. Easter Sunday there were people having to stand (and willing to do so) in order to attend church.

Curiosity seekers? News Reporters? Circus Followers?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! We even had a family come from
another country to visit our congregation. This was not the first time this has happened...even on a Sunday that held no other specific occassion other than being the Lord's Day. Do we have revival bands set for revival?
Special guest speakers each week? Anything?

I'll tell you what they saw...they saw what Jesus followers saw...God's unconditional love, His mercy and His grace. People don't care how much we know or what gimmicks we have until they see how much we really care. People today are searching for love in all the wrong places...when God gave us the Great Commission he didn't tell us to stop with preaching the Gospel, or even with Baptism. We are to show them God's unconditional love, mentor them, train them up in the Lord to do the same exact thing that someone else trained us to do. A complete circle. We are the only Bible that some people will ever read and when others look into our face... this may be the only time on earth that some will ever look into the face of God.

Got to go for now...May God richly bless you and yours always and forever!

Storm Chaser \0/ ><>

That all sounds good but the reality is that people are looking for something for the whole family. I hate to say this but the church is a business. And you need good business people to run it or it will run itself into the ground. As far as the people seeing Jesus in us, I know they do, but that doesn't seem to be enough. So, if anyone has anything constructive as how and what, I'm ready to listen..

 

[llghoney]

We catch them and HE cleans them..

Yes I like that phrase!!!!

He cleans them & we need to be their to support them, lift them up, be a guide!

 

[The Story Teller]

Yes I like that phrase!!!!

He cleans them & we need to be their to support them, lift them up, be a guide!

That's where Sunday school and Bible studies come in. Small groups are the best..

 

[JPPT1974]

That's where Sunday school and Bible studies come in. Small groups are the best..

Agree with you right there!!

 

[llghoney]

That's where Sunday school and Bible studies come in. Small groups are the best..

Yes I agree but on that note: A person visiting a church needs to be welcomed with OPEN arms made to feel like they can ask questions on how to get involved.

 

[The Story Teller]

Agree with you right there!!

Thanks, I needed that..

 

[The Story Teller]

Yes I agree but on that note: A person visiting a church needs to be welcomed with OPEN arms made to feel like they can ask questions on how to get involved.

Yes, but not to pushy..

 

[llghoney]

Yes, but not to pushy..

RIGHT!!! Just OPEN arms just made to feel warm & special!

God Bless you!!

 

[The Story Teller]

RIGHT!!! Just OPEN arms just made to feel warm & special!

God Bless you!!

I try to treat everyone special..

 

[eturner74]

Yes I agree but on that note: A person visiting a church needs to be welcomed with OPEN arms made to feel like they can ask questions on how to get involved.

that is how my church is they welcome everyone with open arms and you can ask them anything and they will be there