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FOOT IN MOUTH

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OPEN MOUTH.  INSERT FOOT.

FOOT

By Ken Blue

We are all guilty of saying things that are just plain stupid. It is not intended, but when revealed to us, we end up being embarrassed. Recently I heard a man preach who made this blunder. I am confident he was a sincere, and a good man. I am also sure he had no idea that he “put his foot in his mouth.”

In the early part of his message, he explained why he attended a Bible preaching church for the first time and heard the gospel. The church was having some type of outreach program where those who brought the most visitors  received points. He said he attended to accommodate the young girl and help her win. It was there he heard the gospel and was saved!

However, toward the end of the message, he spoke out against programs to reach the lost or get them to church. He had just put his foot in his mouth and didn’t know it. That was how he got to church and was saved.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Many are simply parroting their peers and have no idea what they are saying.[/perfectpullquote]

He continued by saying, “If you use programs to reach people, you will have to continue the program to keep them.” BINGO! There went his foot in his mouth again. I have been in the ministry for over 40 years, and can assure you that the motivation that brings a person to church does not have to continue to keep them coming. Those who use that argument simply have not thought through what they are saying.

Pastor, let me give you a little challenge. On some Sunday, ask the congregation how many of them were saved in church. Then ask “How many of you had decided prior to attending church you were going to get saved that day?” You will be amazed. Most lost people do not come to church to get saved or hear the Word of God. Like our pastor friend, most attend for some other reason.

I went to church because it was Easter Sunday, and my girlfriend had a pretty dress. That Sunday I was saved! Secondly, It is not Easter or the pretty dress that has keep me attending church for 50 years.

So, don’t let the anti-program crowd stop you from having as many outreach programs possible. Many dear pastors are simply parroting their peers and have no idea what they are saying. Try to keep your foot out of your mouth.

IT CAN BE DONE, EVEN IN THE SUMMER SLUMP!

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH OR SUMMER SLUMP

Summer SlumpOnce again Pastor Jason Murphy and church members have demonstrated that you can reach your community for Christ, even in the summer slump, if you are determined to do so. Below are some pictures and comments by Pastor Murphy.

“Praise God for a great day at Open Door. Last Sunday we had our annual “Freedom Celebration.” It was such a blessing to see our church work together to reach the community. These are some of the benefits I see by having community outreaches in a local church.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]You can reach your community for Christ.[/pullquote]

1. It involves our members in inviting their lost friends, relatives, coworkers and neighbors.

2. It gives them a chance to serve in multiple capacities: Set up, clean up, manning a booth, cooking food or simply running the visitor booth.

3.  They get involved in praying for the lostSummer Slump

4. It helps the church to not grow inward and become complacent

5. It helps develop a spirit of unity for the body as they serve together with one goal in mind. To bring honor and Glory to Jesus Christ and to fulfill our Biblical command of reaching the lost.

Summer SlumpBy God’s grace last Sunday we had just over 700 in attendance 240 first time visitors 7 professions of faith. Now, we as a church have the opportunity to follow up and these souls God has brought us into contact with.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

A CHURCHES GREATEST NEED

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THE CHURCHES NEED FOR MONEY

churches

By Ken Blue

“A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.” Ecclesiastes 10:19.

I ask a pastor recently what he believed the greatest need of churches is, other than prayer and the Word of God. He said, “I can’t speak for others, but I think the greatest need of our church is more income. We are not able to do anything without the means to do it.”

The above verse concerning money is not intended to teach “all things” without exception. We know of many things money will not fix. However, the context and the book of Ecclesiastes, give a hint of what the writer had in mind. There are some things that cannot be fixed or corrected with or without money. We must see the difference and understand the intent of the writer.

Churches must have money to buy property, build buildings, buy supplies, pay the pastor and staff, and to have its various ministries. Someone has accurately said, “You can’t build a church with people who have no money, nor can you build it with the rich, they will not follow.”

There is no secret here. You must increase the income, or decrease the expenses, or you may need to do both. I would suggest that the pastor looks at all necessary operating expense. These are probably fixed and cannot be eliminated. Mortgage and utility payments must be made.

One thing we did at Open Door to get us back in the black was cancel mission conferences and Bible conferences. We saved thousands each year and never had to cut any of our missionaries. Do an inventory and find ways to cut down waste and to eliminate non-essentials. Money is the answer here, and you must have it to move forward. Guest speakers are a blessing, but they do not increase the attendance or the income of our churches. The pastor and the people must and can do this.

WHY YOUR CHURCH DOES NOT GROW

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THREE REASONS A CHURCH DOES NOT GROW
Church

 

By Ken Blue

“…. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:47.

It may surprise you that there are pastors who do not seek or desire their church to grow beyond a certain number. There are several reasons for their “non growth” mentality; we will give the three we believe to be most prevalent.

Wrong to seek growth-

There are a few pastors who believe that seeking growth is carnal and should not be among any ministry objectives of the church. They believe that prayer, Bible preaching and witnessing is what God requires and all that is necessary. They are opposed to any and all forms of activities, events, or promotions to attract the lost. The church, to them, is intended for the saved only. The only acceptable outreach is door-to-door soul winning.

Like a small church-

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]There are pastors and churches who do not want their church to grow beyond a certain number.[/perfectpullquote]

A small church is a wonderful thing, as long as it is large enough to pay you a salary. A small church is like a family; everyone knows everyone, and they all know the pastor. He receives all the attention and praise for things that go well. He is also able to give attention to all the members.

In many cases, the pastor and the people like this arrangement. They practice “doublespeak.” While they speak of winning the lost, they seldom give room to new families. The glue that holds the small group together is the cement that keeps others out. Everyone is happy and content. All that is lacking is a fireplace where this wonderful little family can gather for fellowship.

Fear growth-

There are those who would like for their churches to grow, but fear keeps it from happening. Their greatest fear is their inability to pastor a larger group. I have witnessed a few preachers and Christian workers with this phobia. If you pay close attention, you will observer them sabotage any growth that is threatening.

This fear is based in insecurity. The reason for the insecure is the pastor has not learned the skills of organization, management, and leadership. Ignorance of these is enough to cause fear in the heart of any pastor. That is why it is important to learn how to pastor, in addition to ones preaching ability.

It may be difficult for you to believe that there are pastors and churches who do not want their church to grow beyond a certain number. Believe me, they exist. You may be one of them. If so, tackle your roadblock, remove the fear, and grow for the Lord.

THE STALLED CHURCH

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REASONS WHY CHURCHES BECOME STALLED

business man making a puzzle isolated over a white background
business man making a puzzle isolated over a white background

By Ken Blue

As Joyce and I traveled from Seattle to Phoenix, we noticed several cars stalled along the interstate. Some had flat tires and the drivers were in the process of installing their spare. On the Grapevine, we saw a car stalled with steam boiling from under the hood; perhaps a blown water hose or a bad water pump was the problem. Another car was being loaded on a wrecker to be hauled away. Of course, we had no way of knowing what all the issues were, but we couldn’t help but notice them as we passed by. For some, the problem was obvious; for others, further investigation would be needed. A few appeared ready for the junkyard.

Several years ago, I arrived at church were some men were working on one of the church buses. They had taken the fuel line and the fuel pump off because gas was not getting to the carburetor. I ask, “Has anyone checked the gas tank?” They looked at each other for a moment; then they inserted a broom handle down the neck of the tank. It came out dry as a bone. They had worked for hours, while overlooking the obvious.

It is not always apparent why churches get stalled, but like the autos along the interstate, you don’t have to travel far before you spot them. It is important that a diagnosis be performed before you start dismantling the fuel lines and or removing carburetors. The question is, what are we apt to find when we search for reasons some churches get stalled?

Some stalled churches can’t be fixed. If enough people become unemployed or a city dries up, the only solution is to dissolve the church and move on.

A church may get stalled because of a split and a number of people leave. In that case, the answer is to pray down God’s blessings, preach sermons that are uplifting, and encourage the remaining members with a new vision of outreach and growth.

If the pastor becomes satisfied with the “status quo,” so will the members. Some pastors are content to have just enough members to pay the bills, while they keep the church just small enough to be a wonderful little family. This is where many churches are stalled today, and it is the sin of complacency that keeps them there. The pastor ought to get fired up about bringing in the lost or he ought to be fired!

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]It is not always apparent why churches get stalled, but like the autos along the interstate, you don’t have to travel far before you spot them.[/pullquote]

Some pastors outstay their usefulness and the church begins to die with them. The pastor, who is up in years, must surround himself with a young staff if he expects the church to have new life and vitality. If the pastor is aged and all the members are senior citizens, the next step is the nursing home. Seniors must be pastored, but young adults should be evangelized. Once your church gets moving again, add a senior citizens ministry.

Sometimes the pastor simply needs to refocus and get a burning vision for outreach. Curtis Hutson said to his sectary, “I’m going to build another church.” She responded in surprise, “Where are you going to build it?” Curtis said he was going to build it right on top of the existing one.

One final cause for a stalled church may be attributed to an insufficient number of staff. Every pastor has a limit as to the number of people he can pastor. Some have suggested that there should be at least one pastoral staff for each 125 people. The pastor should take a serious look and see if a lack staff may be a cause for a lack of progress.

The owner of a stalled auto may not be a mechanic or know how to get the car moving again. but it is his responsibility to either fix it himself or find someone who can help him get it done. The pastor is responsible for the stalled church, and it is his duty to get it moving or find someone who can. There is no excuse to let a church remain in a stalled condition. If your church is stalled, you should set about to do everything you can to discover the problem, and then do everything you can to get it moving again.