Luke 14:23
Jesus Christ said it, because he knows we can
do it!
The #1 question that I hear
in our Saginaw Bay District of our United Methodist Churches is, “How do we
draw people into our church?” We often
think that if we have the perfect or ideal new program or programs and if we
advertise in all the right places, then we will be successful in drawing people
into our churches. I use to believe this
myself! It is only through my personal experiences
in ministry and learning from others that I have come to a different view point. In fact what really works in ministry, in drawing
people into the church, comes directly from Jesus Christ our Lord! Luke
Wow! Jesus did not say after you have developed
great ministries in your church, then do some great advertising and then let
the people come to you! No, Jesus said
to GO outside the church, be intentional about personally inviting people to
know Christ, by inviting them to church!
Is this the part we really don’t want to do, the personal inviting? The part that really makes a difference for
Jesus Christ!
We can trust what Jesus
Christ says. In fact research shows,
just what Jesus is trying to tell us, that impersonal advertising such as
newspaper, radio, signs and letters are less effective and are not as powerful,
as being touched by a human heart of care and compassion! How were people drawn to Christ? It was in his personal relationships of love
that made the greatest impact for the kingdom!
Jesus Christ said it, because he knows we can
do it! He will empower us with the words and courage
to do his will, if we simply follow his teaching in Luke 14:23 “GO into the
roads and lanes, compel the people to come in that my house may be filled.” Imagine
what God can do through our intentional obedience!
In Christ’s Love,
Melene Wilsey
Emerging Ministries and
Education Consultant