Better Than One

Yesterday, I visited a church that was still excited over their “Find It Here” experience and “High Attendance Day” in Sunday School. I was able to speak to the office ministry assistant and she was so pleased to see many church members involved with this outreach project.

They had group leaders that enlisted others to join the “Find It Here” projects. They enjoyed the PrayWalking opportunity so they could connect with God and their community. When it came to delivering the gospel bags, everyone was ready to go.

One lady came by the church on the day she was to put the bags on the door. It was cold and rainy, she had not been well, and her partner did not show up. The ministry assistant suggested she could do this on another better day, but she said this was her appointment day and she was going out no matter what. Others came by concerned about her and wanted to go and find her. The ministry assistant told them she was fine and delighted to be able to do God’s work.

Sunday School “High Attendance Day” had class goals and every one was reaching out to find others to come. 109 attended SS and that was over their goal number. Over 200 came to worship that Sunday.

“Find It Here” helped move our churches out of the 4 walls and into the neighborhood and community. This should be the start and not the end. Several books are good resources: The Externally Focused Church by Rusaw and Swanson; Irresistible Evangelism by Sjogren, Ping, Pollock; Seeing Beyond Church Walls by Sjogren; The Church of Irresistible Influence by Lewis. David Crocker has been to a KBC annual meeting to explain his “Operation Inasmuch” that he started in Fountain City, TN. Crocker said, “believers must think of themselves as bridges joining the world to God. Such a task cannot be accomplished within the church walls.”

Keep loving your community. See where you can join others in ministry. You do not always have to start the ministry. If we are going to reach people, we must go to where they are and not expect them to walk into our buildings. The Great Commission says “As you go, make disciples”.
Where are you going?
OUTWARD?