Do We Really Care?
I went with the children’s ministry volunteers to a training event yesterday. Before the sessions started, the speaker gave alarming statistics.
- In the state of Tennessee, there are 4 million people who don’t know Christ. 1 out of 2 people are lost.
- If current trends continue, 9 out of 10 kids born after 9/11 will not know Christ.
As I heard these, I began to think about what we could do as the body of Christ to reach people more effectively.
- The first thing we must do is take ownership of these people who don’t have eternal life. If they don’t matter to us, then are we right with God?
- We must do something. There’s no such thing as a passive Christian. We are disciples and they are doers of God’s word.
- Pray specifically for these people. A prayer isn’t effective if there’s no specific request behind it. Be specific. God doesn’t want us to impress Him with our long and vague prayers. Do it from the heart. Be conversational with Him.
I am millennial. The generation after me is Generation Z. Generation Z will out populate millennials. Do you know what this means?
WE MUST GO OUTSIDE THE WALLS OF THE CHURCH!
Yesterday I made a follow-up call with someone who visited the church. I was alarmed when I was told that the churches they visited never contacted them after asking for their contact information. I am in no way dishonoring other churches out there because we are the body of Christ. However, we need to at least let people know we care! If people matter to you, you will follow-up somehow. Be sure to remember to talk to them too! I shouldn’t have to say that but it bears repeating.
I plead with you to get involved with your local church. Get involved. Get connected. Here are a few ways you can get connected at Chestuee.
- Connection team: Provide a warm welcome and get their contact information and answer any questions they may have. Follow-up with them the next day and thank them for coming. Discuss involvement and salvation if applicable.
- Start a small group or be involved in an existing group: The purpose of a small group could be relational, missional, financial stewardship or simply dedicated to prayer. Church will provide curriculum.
- Bus ministry: Transporting people to and from church. Develop relationships with the families.
- Student ministry: Serve alongside the youth leader to invest in the youth.
- Children’s ministry: Serve as a teacher or a teacher’s helper.
- Nursery: Serve the parents while you take care of their children.
- Media ministry: Serve as a sound tech assistant, work in social media, video or take pictures of events. Always promote the gospel and engagement through social media.
- Praise and worship. Be on the team as they lead the congregation into God’s presence.
- Evangelism: Serve others by giving away free coffee, etc. No strings attached. Show the love of God in a tangible way.
- Fellowship meals: Serve alongside the food coordinator and others as you prepare meals for events at church and outside of church.
- Maintenance: Serve by making needed repairs and upkeep of buildings.
- Van maintenance: Serve by making sure the van is in good condition. You don’t have to work on the van just make us aware of the needed repairs. It’s up to you if you want to take it to the mechanic.
- Wide Open Ministries (Affiliate Ministry) Serve alongside Nick Herron and the team as they win people for Christ.
- Global Wrestling Ministries (Affiliate Ministry) Serve alongside Casey Kage as they win people for Christ.
Training will be provided and you have an option to serve in another area if you feel the area you chose is not what God called you to. These are just many of the few things you can do in God’s kingdom!
Each one of these ministries serves the vision God has given us which is to reach the lost and teach the saved. One last key I want to give you is that we must stop talking about going to church and be the church. Let’s be involved and be more than just a church-goer. Please join us to reach more people and fill the earth with the knowledge of the Lord. God bless you.