By Rev. James W. Moss, Sr.

When is the right time for a church to develop a concern for growth? I have heard that question scores of times over the past decade. Paul addresses this issue in II Corinthians 6:2. KJV …behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation. When should a concern for growth emerge? Now! Immediately, if not sooner! When is the best time? Today! A desire to win the lost must drive our concern.

Christians profess a belief that if a person doesn’t accept Jesus Christ as their personal savior they will spend an eternity in hell. That belief drives a real sense of urgency and immediacy. The fate of relatives, friends, and neighbors will be eternally sealed at the point of their death. Whatever decision they make about Jesus must be made by the time they die. The uncertainty of life becomes increasingly apparent as one grows older. There are no guarantees for tomorrow. Paul again writes, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How, then, shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:13-14 KJV. For Paul the term preacher didn’t imply a professional clergy person, but rather a witness. This witness is someone who shares the word.

The motivation for growth must be pure. "Why?" is one of the first words of a small child. A congregation going through self-evaluation will hear members raise this age old question, "Why?" when needs for meaningful conversation and outreach are described. This is a two-fold motive sufficient to justify the efforts necessary. That motive must be a commitment to the gospel and a love for people. That needs emphasis. It is not enough to invite people to church to increase the numbers. It is not proper to encourage others to attend church to help pay the bills. It is not sufficient to bring our neighbors to insure that the church survives. The only proper motivation is a deep, abiding commitment to the gospel and love for people.

A Christian’s love for others must be rooted in their relationship to Jesus. Because of love for God, Christians are compelled to love people. God takes our vertical love for Him and reflects it horizontally to the people around us. God is explicit in this redirection. A love for God that does not result in a genuine love for people is impossible.

Why perpetuate the church? Enveloped by the love of God, a Christian longs to share in the body of Christ in the world. The individual who confesses the Lordship of Christ is a member of God’s universal Church. Local congregations are the physical manifestation of the universal body. It is impossible to be an isolated Christian. The Christian faith demands fellowship. Isn’t it natural to desire others to share in the same blessings and benefits that we have experienced? Others need Jesus the same way we do.

The full significance of Jesus and his love can be appreciated only by those inside the fellowship of the church. Human beings have an inherent need that can be satisfied only in that fellowship. A Christian must leave the building to go into the world where real life is lived. Lives must be guided by light emanating from Christ. Such will guide us past the doors of the building into a darkened world in the light of the cross.

What Can We Do?

Pray for the Lord to give you eyes to see the fields that are white with harvest.

Pray for workers who will develop relationships with the lost.

Pray that the Lord will give the church the capacity to make the changes that will make the church more visitor-friendly.

Have the pastor invite someone that no one in the church knows to come for a visit and then write a report on their experience.

Look at the community around the church. What three "seeker events" could the church conduct over the next 12 months to encourage unchurched persons to attend? ("Seeker events" are events designed to attract lost people to the facility.)

Have the pastor preach a series of four sermons on the theme "Lostness."

Have four different persons share their testimony of the transformation that conversion has brought to their lives.

Conduct a class that simply explains how a person may lead another person to Jesus Christ.

Encourage the persons in the church to befriend the unchurched persons of the community and spend quality time with them.

Encourage people to read one of the following books:

Robert E. Coleman. Nothing To Do But Save Souls. Zondervan. 1990.

George G. Hunter. How To Reach Secular People. Abingdon. 1992.

James Moss. Does Your Church Care About People? 1993.

(This article appeared in the "Spring, 1997" issue of "The Herald.")