One of the mandate given by Jesus to the Church is to evangelize (Matt 28:19), in fact to make disciples. The Church has employed different methods over the years to accomplish this goal and one of these is an evangelistic campaign. This year the church has decided to hold another of these meetings in the church. This will run from Sunday April 7 to Saturday April 13.
May I remind you again that the main purpose of having these meetings is that we can further our outreach of evangelizing and discipling the lost.
There are some questions that we need to bear in mind as we pursue this endeavor.
Are we concerned about the lost enough to want to see a change? This certainly must not be taken for granted. To reach those who are not believers, who have not responded to a call to commit their lives to Christ, requires our concern and commitment. We must be concerned that these persons do not have a relationship with Christ, that they have not experienced the new birth, and that their lives are empty if Christ is not central. There must be the concern that those who do not believe in Christ shall perish (John 3:16), and we don’t want that to happen as long as we can make a difference. The concern we demonstrate, must be like that which the shepherd has for the lost sheep. This feeling will take the believer outside his/her comfort zone as all efforts are made to ‘rescue’ the lost sheep.
The question therefore is how does this affect you? What can you do to further the goal? What can you do to help one more person get closer to Christ and to experience his liberating power?
Some practical steps.
Each person can pray more deliberately and intentionally for one person. Maybe someone coming to church, but not yet a believer in Christ.
Invite someone and accompany them if necessary.
Volunteer to be a counselor.
Volunteer to do follow-up with at least one person after the campaign
Plan to attend the meetings
Again, pray, pray, pray.
All the concern expressed and the practical approaches to demonstrate this concern, assume a commitment to be a faithful disciple. That is what God has called us to do, to be faithful. Hence each of us needs to commit to doing something in this ministry this week to make the experience meaningful. Spectating is not welcome; Absence is not desirable, full involvement is welcome.
It’s about time we own our church, whatever is happening, is my business, it is not us and them it is all of us. May God help each of us to not only show our concern, and commitment in tangible and practical ways, but that the ministry which reflects our unity and oneness will be attractive to those who desire to be part of God’s household.