Runners and Feelers:
Bermuda grass. That is what I have in my front lawn. Bermuda spreads by sending out runners. Then the grass grows in new places like the flower beds and the paving cracks.
When it comes to growing our church, it is also about sending out feelers and runners to extend the reach of the saving gospel. Over the past couple of months, we have had new people coming to our church whom the LORD has guided to us. With vacations coming to an end and as we head into the fall, I am looking forward to people coming to worship on Sunday mornings. (We actually have had a busy summer with our people involved in youth events, bible studies or small groups, VBS, and of course worship.)
On September 11th, we are holding a friendship Sunday. Recognizing the tragic events of 9/11 is a good opportunity for us to invite people to hear about Jesus Christ who steps into our world to take on our suffering and give us the kingdom of God. So, we want to be sending out shoots, runners and feelers to grow in new places. I am inviting you to participate in some very simple ways.
1. Pray for Friends, Family, Neighbors, and Co-workers.
2. Pray for the Holy Spirit to be inviting people.
3. Invite People to join you for worship.
4. Involve your children in praying for friends and inviting others to worship.
Jesus said he would grow his church. We simply have to wwalk with him and rely upon GOd to expand his Kingdom. So how do we to carry out these simple ways?
Praying for Friends, Family, Neighbors, and Co-workers. On Sundays, you will be receiving a prayer card to list the friends, family members, neighbors, and co-workers to be praying for. This is a spiritual Family and Friends plan. If you like, you can fill out a second copy for the Gatecrashers prayer team to pray over.
Who do you write down? Who are the people God is placing on your heart? Who are the people who you see struggling in this life who need to hear that God loves them as his beautiful children? Who are the people you know around here who do not have a church home?
These people make up your agape* or grace list. You are not gunning for them. You are praying they will come to receive the selfless love of God in Christ and his Cross. It is your AGAPE list.
Pray over these people every day. Simply lift them up to God and say, “You know they need you. So open their hearts. Help them to ask for my invitation” Then wait and see where openings occur.
Praying for the Holy Spirit to be inviting people. We know that only God can change people’s heart. So, you want to be praying for the Holy Spirit to be at work in your relationships.
- Prayer Alarms: I want to encourage you to set your phone alarm to go off every two hours during the waking hours. I recommend setting the alarm for 10 minutes before the hour. When the alarm goes off you say a quick prayer. A couple of minutes.
- Prayer Dots: If you are not technically inclined, you could place a small dot sticker on your phone or on your watch over the number ten to remind you to make a quick prayer. You could even pray quickly for the people on your agape list.
Lord, help me to see where you are at work around me. Lord, help me see the opportunities to share your grace and your word. Holy Spirit, help me to hear you. To perceive your leading.
Inviting People to join you for worship. Praying for people is critical. Only the LORD can bring people into a life saving relationship. Prayer is the most important action. But if you never make an invitation, how will they know (Rom 10:14-15). So, pick up some brochures or some business cards with the map. Invite the people you are praying for. You don’t have to be a theological expert. You don’t have to be a salesperson. You simply have to say, “I want to invite you to my church. I have been blessed by Resurrection church. And I want to share that with you.” Come and see what God is doing at our church. NOW if they respond positively, this next step is really important. Offer to meet and guide them to the church. Offer to drive them to worship. Offer to buy them donuts. Offer to go out to lunch with them afterward. Going to a strange place can be intimidating for all of us. For a lot of people, going to church is very intimidating. If they know they have a friend who will cover their back, they will be a lot more at ease about coming to church. After all, what we are inviting people into is not a set of propositional truths. We are inviting people into a set of relationships that will forever change their lives. If you will take this step, you will be putting your faith active in love.
Involving your children in praying for friends and inviting others to worship: I know a lot of you are timid evangelists. So, if you have children, I have a great suggestion: pass this off to your kids. Kids are natural evangelists. They are eager to invite their friends and family to worship. What grandpa or aunt can say no to a big eyed child inviting them to experience the love of God? So, help them fill out their own family and friends prayer card. Encourage them to pray over these people, like at dinner time or bedtime. Pick up the brochures with them, and let them invite their friends, family and neighbors. Then you come along after they did all the hard work of inviting and asking to say you will meet them at the church.
I am really excited about what God is going to do amongst us in the next few weeks. Rather than pouring money into some slick advertizing or buying a large billboard. Rather than getting people to come fill up chairs. We are inviting friends and family to the life changing relationship we have with the LORD. This effort is about watching the God of the covenant pouring out His Spirit.
May Christ dwell in your hearts. (Eph 3:17)
Pastor Douglas
* agape: Greek word translated as love, but which means the kind of love that is given undeservedly to others. A love that is not self seeking or expecting some benefit or return.
