Simply put, as a church we need to ratchet up our outreach. And as the pastor, I am going to take the lead!
Our first step has already started; the Evangelism class that we held a few months ago has been completed and 10-20 people have come through it with a new knowledge and heart for sharing the gospel message. For those who took the class, there will be a follow up class. But more important are some things that we as a church are going to plan for the upcoming year.
This year CCW is going to organize some outreach opportunities to put what you have learned into action. Are you worried that you have never done anything like this before, or you won't know what to do? That’s OK, because the real key to outreach is SHOW UP and SPEAK UP! Maybe you are not yet comfortable sharing your faith one-on-one. Then just be a ‘support partner’, and be there to pray.
Here’s some simple things we can do right now:
First: invite someone to church. When was the last time you did? Don’t be intimidated, fact is if you love your church, so will they!
Second: When we hold an event – show up! Even if you are not yet comfortable talking, you can just go along and watch and pray. You can hand out door hangers, be a helper at one of the events – just smile and hand out coffee!
Part of the growth process is that after we come to Christ, God transforms our lives, and then we reach OUT to others. See, if we only focus on ourselves, our problems, our growth, then we are missing the great commission. We are missing a huge blessing of sharing the new life and victory that that we have through Christ with others who desperately need Him.
Bottom line – we are growing in the area of outreach, but we never want to rest on our laurels and not continue growing.
So – when the opportunity comes, SHOW UP! I guarantee you will be blessed, and you’ll do it again!
...till the whole world hears,
Pastor Clay
to listen to the "Going Forward in 2008" message, CLICK HERE
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