When I Was A Child
The Bible teaches that we can expect children to act and think like children. However, as we grow up in Christ, we are to behave as more mature believers; follow Christ more each day; and, stop yielding to the wind that blows one direction today and another tomorrow. Let me ask you a question, if Paul were to write you (or your church) a letter today would he say that "when you ought to be eating meat, you still have need of milk?" In other words, are we growing in our relationship with the Lord?
If you look at statistics, it appears that we are - at best - stagnate in our growth. We are not reaching the lost - not even our own children and grandchildren. When we do win someone to the Lord, we fail to walk alongside them in their spiritual growth (discipleship) and many "drop out/" Even in churches that are leading in baptisms, the back door is appear to be open as there appears to be no increase in the life and work of the church.
I could go on and on, but I think you get my point. We - as a church - seem to have little (if any) impact on the world around us. And - we seem to be OK with it because reaching the lost and discipling the saved appears to be low priority for most churches. Certainly, it is low priority for individual believers.
Now--I know at first read those could be "fighting words." But honestly answer these questions:
1. At your church's last business meeting, was outreach to your community discussed?
2. Does your church have an active and accountable outreach ministry to the community?
3. What was the last discipleship class that you personally took? What did you do personally as a result of that class?
4. When was the last time there was a baptism in your church of an adult?
5. When was the last time you shared the Gospel with a lost person?
6. Are you more likely to be at a revival service or a civic meeting if they are on the same night?
7. If your church has cottage prayer meetings in preparation for revival, do you attend?
8. When was the last time you went to the altar and prayed for the life and work of your church?
Pray with me about the church of North America---the church of North Carolina -- the church of Tar River. There is a field that is "white unto harvest." but most assuredly, "the laborers are few." If we are going to reach our communities for Christ, then you and I MUST change our priorities and place God and His caqll upon our lives first and foremost!
If you look at statistics, it appears that we are - at best - stagnate in our growth. We are not reaching the lost - not even our own children and grandchildren. When we do win someone to the Lord, we fail to walk alongside them in their spiritual growth (discipleship) and many "drop out/" Even in churches that are leading in baptisms, the back door is appear to be open as there appears to be no increase in the life and work of the church.
I could go on and on, but I think you get my point. We - as a church - seem to have little (if any) impact on the world around us. And - we seem to be OK with it because reaching the lost and discipling the saved appears to be low priority for most churches. Certainly, it is low priority for individual believers.
Now--I know at first read those could be "fighting words." But honestly answer these questions:
1. At your church's last business meeting, was outreach to your community discussed?
2. Does your church have an active and accountable outreach ministry to the community?
3. What was the last discipleship class that you personally took? What did you do personally as a result of that class?
4. When was the last time there was a baptism in your church of an adult?
5. When was the last time you shared the Gospel with a lost person?
6. Are you more likely to be at a revival service or a civic meeting if they are on the same night?
7. If your church has cottage prayer meetings in preparation for revival, do you attend?
8. When was the last time you went to the altar and prayed for the life and work of your church?
Pray with me about the church of North America---the church of North Carolina -- the church of Tar River. There is a field that is "white unto harvest." but most assuredly, "the laborers are few." If we are going to reach our communities for Christ, then you and I MUST change our priorities and place God and His caqll upon our lives first and foremost!
Labels: Church, Evangelism, strengthening the church
posted by Dougald McLaurin at
4:40 PM
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