Ed Stetzer in his book, Comeback Churches, states that
churches that have come back from decline to growth have
three factors in common. Last month we looked at the
first factor: A renewed belief in Jesus Christ and the
mission of His church. If we are not utterly convinced
that Jesus is the only way to God and passionately
committed to sharing His Gospel with others, then we are
nothing more than a social club seeking to please and
serve its own members. But a church that prays, plans
and is committed to reaching its world with the Gospel
will experience both the power and joy of Christ. Every
board and ministry in this church should be asking the
question, “What can we do to better reach others with
the good news of Jesus Christ?”
The second factor common to comeback churches is: A
renewed attitude for servant hood. Comeback churches
have a heart for service as did Jesus. When Jesus was on
earth, His ministry to the world was twofold: He shared
the good news of the Gospel and He lovingly met people’s
other needs. The church’s role in the community is to be
the same. We need first, to become more aware of the
needs of those in our own community and then pray and
decide which of those needs God wants us to meet. Some
churches meet the physical needs of their communities by
providing a food and clothing pantry. Other churches
provide grief groups for those that have lost a loved
one or divorce care for those whose families have been
ripped apart by divorce. We know of several churches
that reach out to families affected by disabilities to
provide practical help and friendship, and spiritual
guidance. I know of one church that built a picnic
pavilion for the church and the community.
We are doing some general things to serve our community
better. We hold the voting precinct here, sing and share
at the nursing home, work with CEF in an after school
program and do some one day special projects. But we
need your help to make us more aware of some of the
unmet needs in this community and volunteers to be
Jesus’ hands and feet to meet those needs. When we serve
others and put others’ needs before our own, we model
what Jesus did when He came to earth to serve and save
us. In Philippians 2:5-7 Paul tells us:
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ
Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider
equality with God something to be grasped, but made
himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.
When we truly take on the nature of a Christ-like
servant, we will never have to worry about becoming a
declining church. People will line up on Sunday morning
to worship the awesome God they have seen reflected in
us, His church.
Pastor Dave