This Is How It Works

As I work with churches I have served and churches I have consulted, I always hear the same question, in varying forms:  "What can we do to get new people?"  "How can our church grow?"  "How do we do evangelism?"

Here's how it works.  True story.

A business owner in our congregation recently had the opportunity to talk with one of his employees about faith matters.  I don't know the specific circumstances.  Maybe the employee was just curious about church.  Perhaps the owner saw an opening to talk about his own relationship with Jesus.  It could be she had some particular life issue with which she was dealing.  In any event, she accepted an invitation to try out our worship service.  The next Sunday the business owner stood outside the entryway to our facility watching for her, in order to join with our hospitality team in making her feel welcome, helping her to get acclimated, answering any questions, etc.   Within a couple of hours of her worship experience someone in addition to the business owner texted her to thank her for coming and to ask how the church could help her.  She returned to worship for a couple of Sundays after that.  Eventually she accepted an invitation to stay after worship for a free meal and a time to learn more about our mission, our story, our particular denomination, and what is expected of church members.  Long story short, last Sunday she joined with several others in baptism or remembering baptism, public profession of faith in Jesus.  She's now in a small group around Pastor Rick Warren's resource WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR?   So shes building relationships with more people, including folks who are new like her.  Early this week I had occasion to patronize their business.  The new disciple proudly told me that she had invited a friend of hers to come to worship to see her make her commitment.  Her friend plans to come back to worship with her and wants to know about baptism.

That's how it works.  It's not rocket science.  It doesn't take revivals, special speakers, and slick packaged program.  It doesn't require yet another committee.  You don't have to be a high-powered, high profile mega-church.  We're not that.  It doesn't take an over-the-top charismatic, media savvy techno-pastor who writes about three books a year.  I respect guys and gals like that and I learn a ton from them.  But I'm not one and never will be.  People don't respond to Jesus and to the Body of Christ because of programs, preachers, or profiles.  It happens through relationships; simple, genuine, one-to-one relationships.  Faith is more caught than taught.  It's one beggar sharing with another where bread is given.

Just so you know...  I'll see you around the next bend in the river.