The reality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ should be the most important and driving force in our lives. The fact that eternity is waiting for all of us should determine our actions daily. We either believe the reality of the teaching of the scripture about heaven and hell or we do not. I do. So how can I best make a difference in this world for the Kingdom of God?
I look around me and I see small churches and even medium size churches that are struggling to get a group together every Sunday. How can they tap into the hundreds of thousands of people in our communities who spend Sunday and most of the rest of their time caring less about what any church is doing? Yet most of these same people do care about spiritual issues. Most surveys will tell you that the majority of people do believe in God but they do not attend church because they are too busy, or very sadly church is too boring. Our culture is oozing with entertainment and amusement. Everything tries to catch our attention and ultimately our wallets. How can the church compete?
Let me put forth an idea that is not unique, not original and not even profound but one you have heard before. The answer to growing a church is to involve people in Short Term Missions. It is Biblical Read Matthew 10 and Luke 10. It is doable look around and you will find people who are doing it. It is life changing. (Here is the deal...Some do not want change.) Churches or more specifically church people who are missing the call to be involved in short term missions projects are missing an opportunity that is unprecedented in the history of the world. Thinking that you cannot do it is the correct thinking. Let me repeat that statement you did read it correctly. THINKING YOU CANNOT DO IT IS THE CORRECT THINKING! You cannot ... BUT God can. Short Term Missions cannot happen apart from a call from God and a response of His people to say what Isaiah said In Ch 6 of his book "Here am I send Me"
The problem is not are there resources or time or places to go with Short Term missions the problem is people who are not listening to the voice of God To GO>>>>>Or to Get Involved.
When people get involved they seem to get consumed with the aspect of Short Term Missions. Can you think of something better? Think now clearly for a minute. Short Term Missions is about reaching people for Christ. Making disciples is the highest priority. What will stand up against this thought 100 years from now? What are you consumed with today? What are you trying to accomplish in the next 6 months? My prayer is that one person will read this and realize that their priorty is out of whack and they will sign up to be on a short term missions today.
Right on my friend! Missions transforms the very DNA of a church. Instead of studying their own belly buttons, missions active churches are intent on reaching beyond the walls. A simple trip, internationally or stateside, can transform how individuals look at their own communities. I'm in!
Posted by: John | October 27, 2008 at 01:03 PM