Thinking about Evangelism, Church growth & Worship

Last Sabbath as I completed the block of sermons on centrality of worship in a believer’s life I invited you to consider that the purpose of all ministries we do is one – to invite people to worship, to lead people to a worshipful experience with God.  The Sabbath Worship convocation (Leviticus 23:3) is not just another ministry it is the main point of church existence and work. In Heaven and on the New Earth there will be no need for Youth ministry, Community Services, Evangelism, Children ministry – as ALL will be in worship with God.  But until then ministries exist to bring people to worship.  Various ministries are established not for the sake of having something to do, not for the sake of having “offices” and “officers” but to prepare people of all ages for worship.  The success of ministries is people coming to worship, people living their lives with acknowledgment of Holy God, bowing before His Awesomeness, and worshiping. 

I used the illustration of the church building and worship service being a vehicle, transporting people into experiencing God through participating and connecting worship.  How many can we accommodate and serve in this facility?  Only a limited number, limited by the size of parking lot (40 cars at one time), size of the fellowship hall (100 maximum in one sitting), size of the sanctuary (180 if shoulder to shoulder in seats, up to 200 by the building fire code J).  Our congregation, with extended church family is 350+.  Considering the new arrivals, and visitors, we never serve more than a third of our congregation weekly.  What’s the solution?  Either get a larger “vehicle” – a new facility; or, make a few more “trips” – offer at least two more worship services Saturday afternoon and evening.  

In our present situation, when we cannot offer needed service of facilitating worship for all people, we are also not eager to do evangelism, which would bring new additional people.  Yet, this is not an option.  Evangelism and auxiliary ministries are our high commission (Matthew 28:19-20)  The “GO” command of Jesus is not over until He comes.  As we are considering what we will do, and how we will serve more people, I invite you to engage in spiritual preparation, each one personally.  Through the months of January-March we are inviting everyone to consider your role, your spiritual connectivity with God, your spiritual condition for mentoring others.  We need Holy Spirit motivated and consecrated workers.  Read the Desire of Ages as a Manual to transition from being fans of Jesus to becoming followers of Christ.

Comes the spring warmth we will be mingling with people in the neighbourhood and community, serving the needs, and seeking opportunities for proclamation and invitation.  But right now prepare for relationships, prepare spiritually for investing in others.  We can have only as many baptisms as many mentors will be prepared.  The Fall Harvest Evangelism program begins right now, with your personal spiritual preparation.