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