Five Key Reasons Many Churches Struggle to Reach Their Communities

Many churches today are declining because they are too inward focused. In this episode from October 4 2019 Thom and Sam from the “Rainer on Leadership Podcast” discuss engaging the community around the church.

A few episode highlights include –

• The call to pastor a church is the call to pastor a community.
• Established churches can become busy with programs and get distracted from serving the community.
• If you are going to reach the community there needs to be an intentional plan.
• God honors churches that put prayer as a priority.
• The pastor needs to take the lead on inviting people.

Also emphasised are the five key reasons why:

1. Busyness with activities
2. Lack of intentionality and priority
3. Scarcity of tools
4. No prayer about or for the community
5. Leaders and members who fail to become an active part of the community

Check it out for yourself by clicking on the link or copy and paste the following url:

https://thomrainer.com/2019/10/five-key-reasons-many-churches-struggle-to-reach-their-communities-rainer-on-leadership-577/

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Wellington Citadel Band ~ 2019 Tour Day 3

After breakfast the team headed back to Singapore Central Corps to finish setting up for the morning’s Territorial Headquarters (THQ) service. Which I had the privilege of leading and presenting a devotional / message looking @ Luke 2:25-32 & Ephesians 5:1-2, Jesus has come as The Word; the Revelation Light – The sacrificial way Jesus expressed his love for us is not only the means of salvation. But is also an example of the way we are to live for the sake of others. After all we are Children of the Light.

The service was very well received and again the band was greatly appreciated by everyone in attendance.

After lunch a number of us spent some time looking around THQ as it not only houses the Singapore Central Corps it also houses the Bishan Chinese Corps, THQ offices and accommodation for officers and guests.

After experiencing another afternoon thunderstorm we loaded the coach up (in the rain) and headed to Changi Airport so that we could prepare for our programme @ the Jewel centre.

The Jewel centre is a huge mall as part of the airport and a key attraction is the rain vortex which attracts people not only from around the world. But is also a key local attraction for people to come shopping at, complete with a movie theatre, train that passes through the rain forest and so much more.

The band was split into three groups and played Carols for about 20mins around the Jewel before coming together as a full group to perform some tunes for those that had gathered around the rain vortex. People were also able to take in the sights of the rain forest, complete with Christmas lights, and artificial snow while the band was playing adding to the atmosphere.

The staff @ the centre and the officers from around Singapore really appreciated the musical gift that we brought and is a huge opportunity for The Salvation Army to develop a partnership with this key venue for years to come.

The rest of the evening was spent preparing our gear and getting ready for our overnight flight to Japan. Hopefully we will be able to get some much needed rest as it has been a long day and no sooner do we arrive in the morning we are on the go…

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Wellington Citadel Band ~ 2019 Tour Day 2

Day 2 started off with a buffet breakfast at the hotel before heading out to the waterfront so that the band could do an outdoor collection of songs in front of the Fullerton Hotel and take in the sights of the waterfront.

While there we experienced not only the heat (which was in the high 20’s) but also how the weather can change so quickly with a downpour approximately 3 songs in, which forced a slight shuffle so that we could get out of the rain.

The crowd came in waves as tourist buses disembarked & embarked at the same spot, which meant we had numerous people stopping to appreciate the music and take photo’s.

No sooner had the rain arrived it quickly dissipated, although thunder could be heard in the distance rumbling away.

After about an hour we loaded up the coaches and headed to the American Club for a buffet lunch, which was well received by all. Before heading back to the Days Hotel to get ready for the evening concert which was being held at the Singapore Central Corps.

We had a sound check before having dinner with members of the executive and some of the Territorial Officers and their families.

We then made some final preparations for the Festival of Praise, before featuring in the main programme for the evening; which included a testimony from Peter Hennessey, a timbrel presentation and a songsters slot as well as a massed band which filled the entire stage.

The audience was extremely appreciative of what we brought and as the band mixed and mingled after the evenings festivities, many positive comments and words of encouragement and appreciation were expressed by those gathered and they wished us well on our remaining time there and as we prepare to head to Japan tomorrow evening.

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Wellington Citadel Band ~ 2019 Tour Day 1

By 10:30am today everyone had gathered at Wellington Airport for the flight to Auckland. All our personal bags and additional band gear was loaded up onto the baggage conveyor taking into account the amount of extra luggage. This was a bit of a juggling act to ensure we individually kept within the limits and the staff @ Air New Zealand were very accommodating.

After grabbing a coffee we set off just before 1:00pm and we didn’t linger too long upon our arrival at Auckland as our connecting flight to Singapore was due to leave @ 3:15pm.

Then it was movie time, sleep time or music time (which ever took your fancy) as we settled in for the long haul flight to Changi Airport.

For some of us we were able to get a bit of a kip while on the flight, but for many they took in the on-flight entertainment, catching up on some of the reasonably recent movie releases.

Upon our arrival we gathered all our gear and after clearing customs were greeted by the Singapore Central Corps Officer, Major Mark Hall who loaded us onto the appropriate coaches. After dropping off all of the band instruments and gear at the Corps we headed for a much needed bed at the Days Hotel at Zhongshan Park. All in all a full-on day of travel.

Tomorrow we get into the swing of things with two concerts; one in the late morning and the other in the evening. 😊

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