What is the Point?
 

I have found this is the perfect place to come and get some things off my mind and hear the input of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. With that being said....

I have heard a lot of people lately always talking about how good their church services and prayer meetings are. I love being in the presence of God, don't get me wrong. But, is it just me or are we more concerned with "2 hour moves of God' on Sunday night than we are with reaching the lost? Did we really have good church if the lost aren't saved? I have been convicted lately because If I was truly about the work of God, I wouldn't walk through the doors of the church without having someone with me. Even if I had to go to the homeless shelter and beg for someone to come to church with me.

My biggest concern is , when did it become acceptable for pastors to preach about winning the lost when it seems that is the least of their concerns. I don't believe God is pleased when a man of God stands in front of a congregation and preaches something if he can't live it. I'm tired of seeing ministers all about "pulpit time" I'm ready for some preachers & leaders to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty and lead us into soul winning. My God, how can we proclaim to know the truth and tolerate this mess?

I have seen people who have "been in church" for 50 years be able to count the number of people they have won to the Lord on one hand. I don't know about everyone else, but to me, that is just not acceptable. Young ministers getting licensed by the UPCI that have never won a soul? We are teaching these young men that's it's all about the pulpit ministry.

I'm sorry If I come off the wrong way, I would just like to hear some of your thoughts regarding this.

Re: What is the Point?
 

I wouldn't concern myself with churches or organizations with professional clergy. If you wish to attend one, that is fine. However, if a man feels called to full time service in the institutional church, he will find himself functioning as a father to his family, a preacher, a teacher, a minister visiting the sick, a counselor for troubled saints and couples, a CEO and business administrator, and any other additional responsibilities. It shouldn't concern you if he is evangelizing the lost or not at this point. He is most likely struggling with the responsibilities he currently has and trying to squeez in a witness here and there throughout the day when away from the office, meeting, or visitation.

Now... you have a powerful thought in this post. My question is... what are YOU doing to win the lost? Concern yourself with that. Because you may be more free to do so than a traditional pastor. Are you cultivating prophetic gifts of the Spirit? If not, why not? They truly assist when witnessing. Are you handing out invitations? Door knocking? Street preaching??? What can you do? For all you know... your passion may inspire the preacher/pastor and he begin doing the same.

Just a few random thoughts. lol

Great post. God bless.

Re: What is the Point?
 

You are correct. I have recently began to wake up and come to the realization that I wasn't doing anything. I have since been spending about 10 hours a week at nursing home's, passing out invite cards to waiters and waitresses. Should a pastor ever be too busy to win souls? I guess my problem is that I should be the one that is feeling left out a behind because I have been sleeping on this for so long. I should be able to look at my leaders and feel like I should be doing more. I do understand what you're saying.

Re: What is the Point?
 

Sheep birth sheep. Shepherds lead sheep. Not a concrete rule but a general observation. There are different roles within the 5-fold ministry. The ministry to reach the lost lays primarily on the saints.

Re: What is the Point?
 

My father was a pastor for 17 years before he passed away. He refused to send the saints out to the nursing home without him going too unless there was an emergency or he was ill. Passing out flyers for revivals, you could find my dad knocking on doors doing that too. You could also find him preaching the revival's that he was out door knocking for. I'm sorry, I just don't think it's acceptable to say it's the congregations job to win souls only. Three days before my dad passed away while he was in the hospital he was wheeling himself down the hallways going to visit random people in the hospital and praying for them and telling them about God. Even now, tears stream down my face when I think about the love my father had for souls. To this day, when I visit my home church I see people that came into the church because my dad was out Saturday morning with me and sister knocking on door's asking people to come to church and even offering to help them with anything. I remember dad leaving me with an elderly man one Saturday morning to mow his lawn for him. His daughter started coming to our church shortly after and was saved. You can find her teaching Sunday School every Sunday now.

I realize it all starts with me, and it has started.

Re: What is the Point?
 

Lead by example.

If you feel that way then DO don't TALK. Be a doer not a talker.

Go and reach the lost.

Re: What is the Point?
 

Hmm, I'd say that as much yack as I've heard in church, maybe it bears yakking about a little more here?
I recently defended someone on a thread here for saying that maybe a good idea on Mother's Day would be to honor ones mother, and that 4 visits to church on that Sunday, if not what mom considers cool, might just not be the thing to do that day--to a reply of "pure ignorance," by someone who--imo--gets into the emo overload at their church; which is cool with me, to each his own--but don't fool yourself that you are doing anything for God, or the kingdom, dancing around on those pews, k?

I'm not much, actually, on getting most Pents out of their church, as I have seen how many of them act in the streets :lol at least in their church, they are not a hindrance. Imo.

Re: What is the Point?
 

I don't think that I'm better than anybody else. But, maybe I'm wrong and if so, God correct me. When did it become acceptable for leaders to operate this way? I could shut up and just do it myself but I'm not the one holding the microphone every Sunday throughout churches. Our preachers need to be preaching this and leading this way and I should be doing the same. I agree with what you have said. But, I feel for too long this has been the answer " Just do it, don't worry about others". I just don't think this is acceptable.

Re: What is the Point?
 

A bigger lie has never been told. We are all called so seek those that are lost. We are all sheep. Christ is the true Shepherd. He said My sheep will know my voice. We all have part in the field.

Re: What is the Point?
 

But. . . . Without (human) shepherds, how will people determine who is worthy to be seated behind whoever is preaching up on the stage? There I go Turn the page


http://www.upci.org/images/bottbanner.jpg