Welcome to Worship Services Where Members are Always Appreciated And Visitors are Our Honored Guests

Church Growth- What is the Answer? Church growth is a major concern today as we are witnessing the numbers slowly, but steadily, decline while the population continues to grow daily. We seek out answers to the question – “How do we stop this trend?” The answer for many has become to introduce “new and innovative” ideas, programs, gimmicks and entertainment. In doing so the “teaching/doctrine” of the Church has been set aside and the Church has been weakened and we are still declining in numbers!

Church Growth- What is the Answer? It would simple to say that there is one particular reason for this decline - In a way this could be true – We could simply say “we” are NOT doing our part because God has certainly done His part – 8 But God commendeth His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we shall also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Romans 5:8-11

Church Growth- What is the Answer? And Jesus has left us an “example” to follow. “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” John 13:15 “For even unto this were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps,” I Peter 2:21

Church Growth- What is the Answer? We should be following that “example” in all that we do in our Christian life – hence the term “CHRISTIAN” Paul write to the Corinthians regarding their Christian walk – “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts,known and read of all men :” 2 Corinthians 3:2 However, perhaps what others see in our lives is the very thing that is driving our numbers down -

The World’s Bible There is a Hymn that goes like this - Christ has no hands but our hands To do His work today; He has no feet but our feet To lead men in His way; He has no tongue but our tongue To tell men how He died; He has no help but our help To bring them to His side.

The World’s Bible We are the only Bible The careless world will read; We are the sinners gospel, We are the scoffer's creed; We are the Lord's last message, Given in deed and word; What if the type is crooked? What if the print is blurred?

The World’s Bible What if our hands are busy With other work than His? What if our feet are walking Where sin's allurement is? What if our tongues are speaking Of things His lips would spurn? How can we hope to help Him And hasten His return? ~Annie Johnson Flint~

Church Growth- What is the Answer? In some of my areas of study regarding counseling and treatments for stress and depression, even anxiety I have conducted “experiential studies” An “experiential study” is the process whereby one actually “experiences” a particular activity, event, process, treatment “in person” – personality.

Church Growth- What is the Answer? Recently a minister in the Lord’s Church did an unusual thing as the way many would look at it to prove a point related to the theme of this lesson. His name is Chris Gallagher – The following is what he did – Keeping the words of the earlier song and the following – let us take note and examine ourselves on this particular train of thought and then ask ourselves if there is a needed change in the lives of the members of the Church today.

“6 Reasons Why I Do Not Attend Your Congregation” 6 Reasons Why I Do Not Attend Your Congregation Posted by Chris Gallagher on Jan 26, 2012 in Christian Living, Church GrowthChris GallagherChristian Living Church Growth This is written from the perspective of a visitor. Last year, my family and I took the entire month of February away from local ministry and travelled to various congregations, both near and far, and enjoyed some time visiting. We learned much about the attitudes of congregations towards visitors and it is reflected in the words below. Let the words challenge you and make you uncomfortable. If they anger you, get up and do something about them. If you think they are right, get up and change the way your congregation is seen in your community. Here they are, “6 Reasons Why I Do Not Attend Your Congregation”

1. “When I visited, you asked me to full out a visitor card, talked about how much you appreciate visitors but no one spoke to me.”

“6 Reasons Why I Do Not Attend Your Congregation” 2. “I saw no joy in your congregation. As the church sang ‘To Canaan’s Land’ no one was smiling and they sang like a funeral. I thought Jesus was a joy not a bore.”

“6 Reasons Why I Do Not Attend Your Congregation” 3. “I saw a Bible, but I never saw Bibles. I thought Christians were people who studied the book not talked about studying the book.”

“6 Reasons Why I Do Not Attend Your Congregation” 4. “Your services talked about being lights in a dark world, but I never heard of your congregation before today. You said your church has been around for 50+ years and I grew up here and never knew of you.”

“6 Reasons Why I Do Not Attend Your Congregation” 5. “I felt awkward because I had to sit on the second row because all of your members sat in the back and on the aisle seat. They seemed glued to their chairs.”

“6 Reasons Why I Do Not Attend Your Congregation” 6.“You saw that I had children and no one helped me find a Bible class. There were no signs on the doors to help along the way.” Just some thoughts, Chris Gallagher

The World’s Bible Verse 2 of that hymn again- We are the only Bible The careless world will read; We are the sinners gospel, We are the scoffer's creed; We are the Lord's last message, Given in deed and word; What if the type is crooked? What if the print is blurred?

Church Growth- What is the Answer? It appears that we have some of the answers before us What will we do with them? But perhaps the greater and best answer is found in Romans 1:16 “ 16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Let us not be ashamed to live a life that tells the world of Christ and the “life” He offers.

What Must You Do To Be Saved? Hear The Word Of God Romans 10:17 Believe His Word Mark 16:16, John 8:24 Repent of your sins Luke 13:3, Acts 2:38 Confess your belief Romans 10:10, Acts 8:37 Be Baptized Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38 For the Remission of Your Sins Acts 22:16 Galatians 3:26, 27 Live Faithfully Titus 2:11-14 Revelation 2:10