Better Than One

Relationships are still essential for continuous church revival and Christ-centered community.  Counselor Larry Crabb has defined encouragement as “the kind of expression that helps someone want to be a better Christian, even when life is rough.”  Are you taking opportunities to provide encouragement to those around you?

Minister to One Another (1 Peter 4:10)  Note all that apply in the past two weeks.  Have you:

• written a note of encouragement?
• checked on the well-being of a friend, church member, or neighbor?
• shared words of affirmation?
• reached out to a newcomer at church?
• invited someone to your home?
• taken a meal to someone sick or home bound?
• mentored a less mature believer?
• prayed with someone?
• planned an activity with another family or friend?
• given time or money to meet a need?
• asked, “How can I help?”

Greet One Another (Romans 16:16)

T  F   When at church, I approach and greet guests.    

T  F   I introduce new acquaintance to my friends.  

T  F   I regularly invite believers to my home.

T  F   I make an effort to remember people’s names.   

Care for One Another (1Corinthians 12:25)   

T  F   I visit or call those who are sick or shut in.

T  F   I share my resources with people in need.

T  F   I try to find out how people are really doing.

Exhort One Another (Hebrews 3:13)

T  F   I am involved in discipling another believer.

T  F   I motivate people to reach their potential.

T  F   I confront people going the wrong way.

T  F   I encourage others to obey biblical truth.

Pray for One Another (James 5:16)

T  F   I often ask people how I can pray for them.

T  F   I stop to pray with people as needs arise.

T  F   I pray regularly with my spouse and children.

T  F   I often pray privately for those facing  struggles.

These ideas for encouraging one another will help and relate to Find It Here 2011.

Taken from revive magazine, a publication of Life Action Ministries

I was visiting last week with David Tucker at Sherman BC and he mentioned he was reading “essential church?” by Thom and Sam Rainer.  In trying to keeping high school students in church, he takes time during his Sunday sermon to walk in front of them and relate some part of his sermon to them.  That is not hard to do but how many pastors are speaking every Sunday to their students. 

 Have you read “essential church”?  Many churches want to keep and find young adults for their congregation.  Based on research conducted by LifeWay Christian Resources, the nationwide survey of more than 1000 young adults uncovered another ominous trend:  fading percentages of church attendance among young demographics.  From 50% among pre-World War II builders, the number sinks to 34%for “busters” born 1964 and ‘77, and 29% for “bridgers” (1977-94). ” These numbers have remained the same as each generation gets older.”  says, Thom Rainer.  “So we eo have a little bid of a crisis.  We’re losing our young adults.”

Importance of Small Groups  – One prescription the associate pastor of a Florida church outlined is small groups.  Whether that means cell groups, Bible studies or Sunday school, he pints out that 83% of those involved in a small group are still in church five years after joining.  Among those who only attend Sunday services, the retention rate drops to 16%.

Why They Leave 

• They simply wanted a break from church
• Left for college or had work responsibilities
• Don’t feel connected to people there
• They disagreed with the church’s stance on political or social issues
• They decided to spend more time with friends outside the church

Start by simplifying

• Simplify the path members can follow to discipleship – Ministry Blueprint:  What is your church going to do to help people become more like Christ?
• Your purpose/mission statement must be clear
• Alignment or getting everyone  on board with the same process
• Focus – Eliminating outdated committees or programs

Ed Stetzer has written a good young adult book entitled “Lost and Found”  His research team surveyed almost 200 church to search for trends and found these common characteristics:

1. Creating Deeper Community
2. Making a Difference through Service
3. Experiencing Worship
4. Leveraging Technology
5. Building Cross-Generational Relationships
6. Moving Toward Authenticity
7. Leading by Transparency
8. Leading by Team

One other excellent resource is “in real time” by Mike Glenn, pastor of Brentwood BC in Nashville area.  He decribes how his church created Kairos, a young adult worship ministry.  Kairos means “appropriate time” or “fullness of time.”  Kairos describes the right time to tell the punch line of a joke or the right time to pick a piece of fruit from the tree.  Kairos, the young adult worship experience on Tuesday night, is about creating that right moment for someone to encounter the risen Christ.  Take time to read this jouney of young adults who have reached the Nashville community.

Please don’t spuander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us.  God reminds us, “I heard your call in the nick of time;  The Day you needed me, I was there to help.”  Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. 

- 2 Corinthians 6:1-2  The Message