Back from “home-stay”
vacation. Good time fixing things around
the house with boys, working on my dissertation, getting occasional “emergency”
calls from members, and getting antsy to get back to work.
Fall is traditionally reminds us
of “harvest” time, and, knowing that lay evangelism is not being prepared for
September as planned, I was not at peace.
I am sure that members are cognizant of their individual work, if seeds
were planted reaping is needed, but if no planting and watering of souls was
done this year – then harvest is not in the picture.
Last weekend I attended with the
whole family the Festival of Laity and heard pastor Jules preach “The Day Jesus
cursed” sermon. You know the story – the
fig tree story, leaves but no fruits story.
I sat thinking that we are so engrossed in doing the “church work” that
we are not doing the “work of the church.”
You may wonder what is the
difference – well, let me share this perspective: the church has a purpose, and
accomplishing its purpose if doing the work of the church. That purpose is leading people to Jesus,
calling people out of the world into the fellowship of ekklesia, the chosen ones, the peculiar people.
The “church works” on the other hand are
things of maintenance, organizational routine miscellaneous business. These are important too, for we cannot be
without cleaning the grounds, the building, singing in choir, playing
instruments, sorting clothing and goods to give away. These are “leaves” and they are of secondary
importance. The fruits is what Jesus was
looking for that day when he cursed. (Mark 11:13-14,21)
I am going to get the DVD of that
sermon and make it available for all who wants to watch it, but my point is not
about just watching the sermon. What
fruits are out “tree” is showing forth?
As I went for a recommitment
appeal with many other pastors, I prayerfully asked the Lord to show when and
how can we do a harvest “reaping” this year, and right there in prayer I got an
answer: week of prayer. Why not invite
our friends that we pray for and do a Prayer Evangelism? I know we have not done it like this before,
so let’s do it for the first time, instead of regular week of prayer – have our
lay leaders, elders, prepare those messages each night and preach their heart
for twenty minutes, and then pray and pray a blessing for our friends. That’s a type of “evangelism” no one would
say no to. A simple invitation – “come
with me to be prayed for, we would like to pray for you tonight!”
I am going to share this in
details with elders coming Tuesday, and asking you to pray for empowerment and
revival in our midst!
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