Why bring in the unsaved?

[hopeinGod]

After being away from a beach town in North Florida for many years, I finally drove there to check it out. I was saved in '72 while in the Navy at that location and stayed for eight years following my discharge once I was swept into the Jesus Movement of those days.

Lots of things have happened within those years to shape the newest format for services, their emphasis and visions. I think we're all familiar with the extremes that have come and gone, for the most part, and how most nondenoms today are less desirous of any movement of the gifts in an effort to maintain a minimal chance of offense.

Sing three songs, say hi to one's "neighbor," take the offering, remind everyone of upcoming goals and events, present a message and go home, all within the space of an hour and a half. It's pretty much the norm.

The church I visited while I was there recently fired their founder/pastor for stealing money, so attendance was down. Not surprising was the content of the sermon: evangelism. Obviously, they have to bring them in if they want things to get back to where they once were, prior to the firing and loss in members.

Seems like a business, doesn't it, the way churches often operate? I wonder how important the message of evangelism would be if all the seats were filled with contributors? It's a little bit like the financial market, in a way, isn't it?

 

[1watchman]

That is why one needs to find a truly scriptural assembly and not the sects of men. I believe one can see the big picture of what God intended for His testimony at www.biblecounsel.net which is very true to the Word. Well, look up always and trust God.

 

[abysmul]

Seems like a business, doesn't it, the way churches often operate? I wonder how important the message of evangelism would be if all the seats were filled with contributors? It's a little bit like the financial market, in a way, isn't it?

I've talked and thought about this a lot recently. The "wealth" in "churches" is a troubling thing to me. Lavish buildings, lavish interiors, lavish homes for the "preachers", and such a focus on fund raising and attracting "members"... it seems almost like so many churches are country clubs not places of worship.

For me, I would think that a congregation should attract people by their fruits and their sharing the word and works of Christ.

 

[Christownsme]

A church is made of men and women who can commit sin. It's as easy to steal finances out of a small church as it is a huge church. If it's corrupted by anybody's greed, it's not the church... it's that person or group of people.

 

[Bobby64]

You've made a very interesting post. C.S. Lewis once commented that he's concerned about some preachers viewing their ministry as a "job," just as the rest of us would. One where you measure success with a certain metric (i.e. church funding and attendance) and get paid.

It's always important to have the right motive when witnessing to others. We destroy our credibility if we do it out of selfishness--say, for the money. But it is extremely important for churches to reach out to others. They need to remember, though, that you reach out in order to save individual souls, people. You don't reach out in order to fill seats. As you said, the business mentality can creep into churches easily.

Sing three songs, say hi to one's "neighbor," take the offering, remind everyone of upcoming goals and events, present a message and go home, all within the space of an hour and a half. It's pretty much the norm.

Wow, I didn't know that format was so common. My church even does three songs too. 0_o

 

[BryanW92]

Establishing metrics for a church is a double-edged sword. If you only look at attendance and giving, you can fall into the trap of thinking like a business. Then, you start to focus on amenities to attract people who are looking for a nice experience on Sunday so they can say that their "church ticket" is punched. After that, we start fearing that we'll offend someone from the pulpit and then the church is dead spiritually.

But, not establishing them can let the clergy and laity get lax. They can start to think, "We have enough people, and we're all REALLY good people. Why disrupt the flow by bringing in new people? Especially people that don't think like us!"

You can establish metrics that go beyond attendance and giving to really show the spiritual health of the congregation. Keep track of attendance and giving, of course, but add small group, bible study, mission, and work day participation. These are the real indicators of your health. If you put 200 people in the pews on a Sunday, but only have 6 people in small groups and 20 on Wednesday night, then you have a serious problem. If 50 people show up for a Wednesday night dinner, but only 18 stay for bible study afterwards, then you have a problem. On the other hand, if you seat 100 on Sunday and 70% of those are in small groups, 80% are there on Wednesday, and half have a regular outreach mission, then you're doing pretty good.

 

[Willie T]

Somewhere in my past I can dimly remember being able to relate to churches like this. Thank God, no more.

If I didn't know better, I would think God put together this congregation where I meet with others, just for me and my wife. It is a fantastic feeling when you sense you have finally found "home".

 

[AndersenKC]

After being away from a beach town in North Florida for many years, I finally drove there to check it out. I was saved in '72 while in the Navy at that location and stayed for eight years following my discharge once I was swept into the Jesus Movement of those days.

Lots of things have happened within those years to shape the newest format for services, their emphasis and visions. I think we're all familiar with the extremes that have come and gone, for the most part, and how most nondenoms today are less desirous of any movement of the gifts in an effort to maintain a minimal chance of offense.

Sing three songs, say hi to one's "neighbor," take the offering, remind everyone of upcoming goals and events, present a message and go home, all within the space of an hour and a half. It's pretty much the norm.

The church I visited while I was there recently fired their founder/pastor for stealing money, so attendance was down. Not surprising was the content of the sermon: evangelism. Obviously, they have to bring them in if they want things to get back to where they once were, prior to the firing and loss in members.

Seems like a business, doesn't it, the way churches often operate? I wonder how important the message of evangelism would be if all the seats were filled with contributors? It's a little bit like the financial market, in a way, isn't it?

In my church at least, I have come to realize that I would rather put my money into the church rather than a secular charity. My 10% has a much better chance of helping win souls to Christ. The Lord knows what to do with the money I give.