But this also begs the question as to whether our regular services are occasions when people might say that God is there, and where the good news is both proclaimed and lived out in a loving and welcoming gathering of enthusiastic Christians. John's Gospel records Andrew, having heard Jesus described as the Lamb of God, going to bring his brother to Jesus (John 1:40). Later in the same chapter we have Philip bringing his brother to Jesus.
These are not high powered evangelists. Nor are they people who have done discipleship courses or been trained to run outreach programmes. They are ordinary people like you and me but who have met Jesus and - like you and me - believe him to be very special. This is a model of evangelism that almost everyone could imitate. But what might this mean when we relate it to our regular Sunday services?
If we don't feel comfortable inviting non-Christian friends to come to church we need to ask why this is? Is it unfriendly? Is there a danger that they might find themselves being preached at rather than feeling God's love? Are the service contents full of jargon or irrelevant? Is it boring? Is it plain embarrassing? If the answer to any of these questions is"yes" then what can you do to change that?
Church services should be exciting places where men, women and young people are encountering God. Our love for God and one another should be obvious to others coming in. The apostle Paul writes in one of his letters about unbelievers coming into a meeting and saying "God is in the midst". If we get it right then there will be no need for a pointed sermon or any kind of pressure to get people to believe; they are much more likely to be drawn.
But even if the services are appropriate places where people can learn about Jesus and come to know him, the other aspect is whether we care enough for others that we want to bring them to Jesus. Why not invite someone to come with you and then afterwards come to your home for a meal (or go out for one)? You might be pleasantly surprised? But we won't know if we don't try.
New Ministry Developments
Trustees of Sunrise Ministries (the charity that embodies Rural Mission Solutions, have been prayerfully exploring ways in which this ministry might develop over coming days to ensure that its activities continue to be effective in meeting our aims. One new development is the introduction of webinars (interactive free on-line seminars). A series of helpful and relevant 30 minute sessions are being planned for next year. In addition we have offered both to co-present webinars with colleagues from other rural mission organisations, or to host their presentations.
Please let us know what topics you think would be helpful
From The Diary
Remembrance Services and school assembly provided encouragement with good numbers attending and appreciative responses. These were part of "Hope in our Villages".
It was good to meet with several colleagues in other rural mission organisations as we seek to work collaboratively where possible and encourage one another.
Prison ministry has also been inspiring. Please pray for a few rather immature men who are a little more difficult to work with in a constrained time frame.
For the week ahead, please pray for our daily activities. The office is busy each day and there will be some field activities including Prison ministry on Tuesday, I will be chairing the Churches Rural Group (a coordinating group in CTE) on Thursday, and attending a funeral and thanksgiving service in East Sussex on Friday for a dear friend and faithful supporter of this ministry.
Sunday 30th I will be taking the morning service at HMP Gartree and afterwards travelling to Crick, Northants where we have a United Service for Hope in Our Villages, with Roy Crowne (CEO of Hope Together) as guest speaker.
Thank you for your partnership through prayer and practical support.
Barry |
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