A Sleeping Giant
There is a sleeping giant in today's Church - the unfulfilled potential [unrealized 'sending' capacity] of God's people. Imagine releasing this capacity, even a small percentage of it. Consider the impact of passionate Jesus-followers sharing their story of fellowship and faith and becoming "sent" leaders in their communities. What would be the impact of every Christian sharing their story with one other person and changing our church from a group of "Innies" to "catching, coaching and sending" mentality?
Jesus intends His followers to live "sent" lives-- and for His family, the Church, to be the means by which they are called, equipped and united into a movement that would sweep the world. His words and intent are unmistakable: "As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you" (John 20:21). This command was not for a select few but for all believers. He calls each of us to "Go."
As leaders we seeks to awaken the "sleeping giant" capacity of our church with a renewed emphasis on Jesus' call to not only "Make Disciples" but to equip, grow and send them that together we can "Make a Difference".
"Seven minutes is all you get to make a positive first impression. In the first seven minutes of contact with your church, your first-time guests will know whether or not they are coming back. That's before a single worship song is sung and before a single word of the message is uttered." - Nelson Searcy, "Fusion"
10% of first-time visitors become regulars
25% of second time visitors become regulars
45% of third time visitors become regulars
Know your Story
What difference has your faith made to your life Today or will it make tomorrow?"
What was your life like before you knew Jesus?
What is your life like now?
Where is your life headed for which Jesus' guidance is essential?
The Mission Field
Waiting – "I Want to be Asked."
Perhaps one of the most underestimated reasons people return to the Church is that someone simply invited them back. Overall, 41% of the formerly churched said that they would return to the local church if a friend or acquaintance invited them. Younger adults are even more influenced by the power of the invitation. Approximately 60% of those ages 18–35 would consider attending or returning to church if someone they knew asked them to come back. A simple, yet powerful invitation is all it may take to prompt a homecoming. Is your church equipping people to invite others?
Motivation - "I Want to Make a Difference."
Almost a third of the formerly churched mentioned that if they were to return to church, they would want to be part of a local body where they could make a difference. By and large, people within the church feel more fulfilled in their lives when they sense that God is using them. And churches with high expectations of their members are actually more likely to draw people back into the fold. People want to serve and know that they are contributing to something significant. Making new members aware that the bar is set high for their contribution does not deter them, but rather motivates them to be a part of the local church.
What are you inviting people to participate in?
I agree with the comments in your blog, but I would add to them the questions: What about the people who already attend a given church, especially those who have been attending for many years and consider themselves and what they have to offer “outdated”? Does it not stand to reason that those who already belong to a given church would “bear more fruit” if they, too, were asked, not just expected, to become involved in church activities? And would that not be a blessing beyond imagination because much, if not most, of the “body of Christ” would be united in their service to and for the One Who “came to serve rather than be served”? Everyone has been given at least one spiritual gift; many do not know what theirs is. Asking the veteran member as well as the newcomer may unleash and “produce a truly bountiful and unexpected harvest.”
…you know…I can’t help but wonder…
I know a pastor who seeks constantly for the 2:42-46 church — Acts 2:42-46 church, that is. I sometimes fear that that first Pentacostal flame that burned in the hearts of the disciples has dwindled to a very low flicker in that pastor’s heart because of the brick walls which are erected in his church by apathy, intolerances, pride, and criticisms and into which he runs almost any and every time when he tries to “awaken the sleeping giant.” I pray not; I most sincerely, intentionally, and purposefully pray not.
And, perhaps and most likely, therein lies the answer. Yes, it is the asking; but the asking of Whom and the asking how?
Acts 2:43-47 reads, “Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common: they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” They “were faithful, and thus, God was successful.” Who added to their number? “The Lord added to their number those who were being saved,” not they, but the Lord.
But notice, I purposefully started with verse 43, not 42. Why? Look what this possible summation verse succinctly says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Two, possibly three activities depending on how you define “breaking bread” plus PRAYER led to massive growth in the numbers of those being saved. James 5:16 tells us, “The prayer[s] of a righteous person are powerful and effective.”
So…we don’t JUST pray; we CHOOSE to pray, not because it is the only alternative, not because it is the only other thing we can do but because we believe in the power of prayer, because we know and believe that God hears all prayers, and because we know and believe that “all things are possible with God.” So…we talk to and with God, and we ask Him — ceaselessly, purposefully, and intentionally — to invigorate low-burning and flickering flames in discouraged and disillusioned hearts and to “awaken the sleeping giant in all believers” so that they will “GO and DO when He calls each of them.”
Prayer is the answer so that God, in accordance with His will and purpose and for His honor and glory, will choose to “equip and grow disciples” in order for them to “make a difference” in and throughout the world, as well as in “sleeping giant churches,” by living “‘sent’ lives.”
…you know…there are lots of different and diverse things which speak to a person’s heart telling them that “this is the right church for them.”
I know two gracious and Spirit-filled ladies new to the area and new to my church for about two months who decided, after visiting numerous other churches, that “this was the right church for them” because of a dog. A dog, who in his own way is not only a blessing from God but also one of God’s instruments, who “makes disciples and makes a difference” as no one could or would fathom…but because “the Lord God made them all” and because “His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not His thoughts,” he does, as God not only understands but purposed.