The workers are few…

Have you ever thought about the true size of your church?

Or as in our case the size of our Corps?

“A church isn’t measured by how many people fill the pews each Sunday. It’s measured by how many are still outside! You might be in a church of fifty, a hundred, or even a thousand – But if you’re in a city of one million, then the church is still fledgling.”

 

These words were penned by Wayne Cordeiro in his book “Jesus: Pure & Simple” and as I have been sitting in John’s gospel for the past week or so in my devotions, I have been reminded of a series of posts that I posted, six years ago entitled “Eyes on the Harvest” – which has again left me wondering;

Have we lost sight of why we do what we do, and for whom?

At the beginning of July we were reminded that we are to be the ‘salt and light‘ in the world, spreading the message of ‘hope and life‘ to those that we come in contact with.

Yet all too often we as Christians sit back in our seats waiting for God to move in our midst. All the while just maybe, God is actually waiting for us to stand up and start taking some small steps out into the world, and inviting people on a journey of faith that could potentially change their life for ever.

The thing is, we as Christians for the most part, accept the idea and thought process that “the Church is the Hope of the world” and that it is only through God at work through, and in us, that He can, and will, accomplish what it is, that we have been called to do.

But… Have we become more content to be consumers of church? Rather than having the mindset of a pioneering missionary, who will at all costs do whatever it takes to win ‘some’ (let alone anyone) for Christ! Would we rather let others do the work of the harvest? Rather than get out in the field and get active.

This is where the rubber hits the road – Are we evangelistic in our approach? Or, are we merely waiting for someone else to invite ‘our’ friends and family, ‘our’ neighbours, colleagues and work mates to church, or some other ministry that we are a part of, through whatever means. Are we afraid that they won’t like what they see, because we are not necessarily comfortable, or happy, with what goes on at church. Or do we simply not really care for their spiritual well-being, and their eternity, as much as we say we do.

According to the latest research on ‘faith and belief in New Zealand‘ which was commissioned by the Wilberforce Foundation, and undertaken by Australian research company McCrindle, exploring attitudes towards religion, spirituality and Christianity.

The church is on the decline.

A number of news reports, articles and blogs (including one I posted in October 2019) were posted about this report and the ramifications going forward for us as a nation, let alone a country that affectionately calls itself ‘God’s Zone’ – And their are numerous issues around how we can remedy the decline, let alone do what needs to be done to reestablish ourselves as a people who are all about bringing ‘Life & Hope’ to a hurting world.

However coupled with this is another dilemma – I’ve become increasingly aware that we do a lot of work in the church, for the church – we have programmes, ministries, events and activities that on the one hand we do to be attractional for those outside the church, but then we don’t actually go out into the highways and byways and invite people to them – yes we may advertise, we may invite people to help us run them, we may even go as far as employ people, and we get a little buy-in.

But all too often, we then leave it up to those same people to be the ones whose job it is to get others outside of the church to come to the church. All the while questioning why people aren’t coming like they used to in the ‘glory days of old’, or when the ministry first started.

Is it just because we “all” are not doing our part – we have left it to a select few – while the rest of us sit back and wait! Hurling stones from the side of the waters edge at those that are trying to do something to stop the rut.

The workers are few…

Now don’t get me wrong in the church we have plenty of workers, we have plenty of volunteers and we have a reasonably good amount of ministers, pastors, and officers who are “all” busy doing great work – Maybe that is the problem, we are busy doing work, a job – and again I come back to have we lost sight of why we do what we do, and whom we do it for.

As a Christian organisation this is where things can come a bit unstuck, as many people on the so called frontline (in our case our Family Stores, Community Ministries, and even programmes, activities and ministries run within the church) don’t necessarily know why we do what we do, and for whom.

They are doing what they have been employed to do, what they are paid for and volunteer their time for – and rightly so in today’s world of being a good employer, can we expect anything more? We have administrators, youth workers, counsellors, and so much more besides.

But the workers are few… and in some cases, dare I say it, they are non-existent in the local church, the local corps – no one is intentionally inviting, or evangelising their spheres of influence, the contacts that are readily coming through our doors, pointing those that we come in contact with, towards God.

Maybe the premise of the scripture from John is not so much about the workers are few – but the right kind of workers, are we doing the work of the mission? What is the mission? To invite people on a journey to knowing Christ, but if we do not even recognise and acknowledge God being at work in and through us then we can never advise others of Him.

Have we lost sight of the importance of Innovators, Planters, Evangelists and Harvesters and focussed on the functions of the workers rather than their giftings – maybe that should be the subject of another post.

As always I’d be interested in your thoughts on this 🙂

Read Full Post »

Eyes on the Harvest–Part 5

This is the final instalment from the chapter entitled ‘Eyes on the Harvest’ from Wayne Cordeiro’s book “Jesus: Pure & Simple”. Check out the following posts to get a feel for the transition thus far:

Eyes on the Harvest – Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3,

Part 4a, Part 4b, Part 4c

In John 4:34-35 (NIV) Jesus said:

My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, “It’s still four months until harvest?” I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.

That phrase – open your eyes – is so important. Jesus wouldn’t have said that unless there was a reason. If we have been inflicted by the disease of misguided devotion, our eyes will be closed to that which truly matters. Jesus invites us to open our eyes. The fields are ripe for harvest!

Have you ever thought about the true size of your church? A church isn’t measured by how many people fill the pews each Sunday. It’s measured by how many are still outside! You might be in a church of a thousand, but if you’re in a city of one million, then the church is still fledgling.

Sometimes we get our eyes fixed on what we’ve already harvested. That’s why Jesus said, “Lift up your eyes and look on the fields” (John 4:35). He reminds us to lift up our eyes because we more often than not have our eyes fixed on what we already have rather than on what is still standing in the fields.

The harvest will not self-reap, but it will self-destruct if not reaped.  

How do you place your eyes back on the harvest? You can start by asking yourself questions such as:

• Does my neighbour know Christ?
• What family members of mine do not yet know Jesus?
• Are there colleagues at work who are far from God?
• Whose lives intersect with mine? Can I spend a few minutes a day to give them value?
• And in due time, can I help them find the door?

Look for opportunities to give people nudges toward Christ, to share your testimony, to give people invitations to spiritual events, and invite people to follow Jesus.

The Power of the Invitation

An old Hebrew saying was highlighted in the poignant film Schindler’s List. It says, “Whoever saves one life saves the world entire.”

If everyone reached a neighbour, we could win an entire community, and that is the gateway to the entire city. never forget that just one invitation can open the  door to the world.

Never underestimate the power of one invitation.

Application:

Start a prayer list and record four names of people whom you will pray for. Regularly pray that they will one day come to Christ.

Can you identify some forgotten people in your community who are precious to Jesus? Spend a few minutes with them so that you can nudge them closer to the door.

Invite someone to an activity, event, life group / small group or even a service and spend some time with them discussing the theme’s / topics covered.

Read Full Post »

Eyes on the Harvest–Part 4c

This is a continuation of the chapter entitled ‘Eyes on the Harvest’ from Wayne Cordeiro’s book “Jesus: Pure & Simple”.

Eyes on the Harvest – Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4a, Part 4b

Offer the Invitation

An invitation involves deliberately asking a person to go somewhere spiritually. It may begin with a trip to church, a Christian concert, or even a Bible study. Ultimately, the invitation is a step closer to Christ. It’s asking a person to make a move of faith. It’s a nudge and a follow-up.

This is a step that should never be forced upon a person. If they say no, they’re not ready. But once an invitation is given, they begin to consider Christ more seriously. That’s all God ever asks of you – to be faithful to do the inviting. And no matter how they respond, at least an invitation gets them thinking.

An invitation is similar to what God did with Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 18:2, God was talking with the prophet and invited him down to the potter’s house, where more information would be given him. “There I will announce My words to you,” said God.

Why would God invite Jeremiah to go somewhere else? God was already talking with Jeremiah in one location. Why would God want Jeremiah to go somewhere else?

At the potter’s house, God was able to give Jeremiah a graphic presentation of His Word and His ways. Jeremiah saw firsthand the clay spinning on the wheel, the decisions the potter made concerning the clay, and how the clay belonged to the potter, not the other way around. That was why Jeremiah needed to change locations. It brought spiritual truth into a new light.

Similarly, a person may be invited to a church service where a song or drama or message will touch that person’s heart and confirm or ratify what’s already been said. The person is able to see the ways of God in a new form.

Now, an invitation to another location isn’t always needed. I’ve led some to Christ in restaurants and parking lots. If a person is ready, a person is ready. But often an invitation to another location, where a spiritually oriented event is taking place, will open the doorway even further. There is no complicated strategy to inviting a person to an event. You just say, “Hey, we’ve got a concert coming up. Would you like to go?”

Similarly, there is no complicated strategy to inviting someone directly to Christ. People are often worried about what they might say. But I would encourage you that if you’re speaking directly with a person about Jesus, and they’re open to the conversation, there’s probably not a wrong move you could make.

Wayne goes on to break down four components that are usually involved in this process… If you check out ‘The Gospel Message’ page there are other pointers on how to share the message and invite people to accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

In essence Wayne shares that we need to ask four key questions:

1. Would you like to know more about Christ?
2. Would you like to open your heart and invite Him to begin a work inside of you?
3. Can I pray for you? [Then share something similar to the following – Lord Jesus, my friend here is opening his heart to you. I pray that you would reveal yourself to him this week. In Christ’s name. Amen.] Remember some people might not quite be ready to go  then next step but don’t be afraid of asking another question if it feels right!
4. Would you like the Lord to take over your life, ad would you allow Him to change and transform you? [If they say yes get them to pray another prayer similar to the following along with you – Lord Jesus, please come into my heart. Would you forgive me of my sins? My life is chequered with past mistakes where I’ve rejected you. But today I’ve changed my mind about that. Take over my life. Do what you need to in me. I choose to cooperate, and call you Lord and Saviour. Amen.]

As Wayne says; Keep in mind that the ultimate success here is never up to us. God only asks that we are faithful. I’ve asked people if they want to give their lives to Christ and had them say no. The responsibility for a person’s response does not lie with me. God simply invites me to be a part of His kingdom work.

Read Full Post »

Eyes on the Harvest–Part 4b

The following excerpt is a continuation of the chapter entitled ‘Eyes on the Harvest’ from Wayne Cordeiro’s book “Jesus: Pure & Simple”.

Eyes on the Harvest – Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4a

Tell the Story of Your Life

A person’s testimony is one of the most powerful things he has. People can’t deny or disbelieve your story, because your story is indisputably yours. A testimony involves three simple components: what your life was before your came to Christ, how you came to Christ, and how your life is different today.

There’s an old hymn that reminds me of my testimony before Christ and after He came into my life. It proclaims, “This is my story. This is my song!”

I encourage everybody to be able to tell their testimony in sixty seconds. Do you remember that thrilling movie with the fantastic race scenes called Gone in 60 Seconds? If you take longer than sixty seconds, the person you’re talking to is gone. Be able to quickly articulate the spiritual story of your life.

[Wayne goes on to explain his story – if you want to find out more, read the book]

Some people say, “Oh, that’s nice for you,” and that’s all there is to their response. But for other people, it’s an eternal beginning. They simply need an example of a life transformed.

Maybe you think you don’t have a testimony because you’ve always lived a moral lifestyle. In your mind a testimony is a highly dramatic story about how evil a person was before coming to Christ, and then how a person’s life was miraculously changed. Perhaps you became a Christian when you were four. Every believer has a testimony. The focus of a testimony is not what you were; it’s who you are now in Christ. Why is Jesus important to you now? Talk about that.

It doesn’t matter what end of the pit we’re from. We’re all from the pit. It doesn’t matter. Just stay near the door.

Sometimes we give the greatest applause and adulation in our churches to those who have come a long way out of the muck and mire, but we don’t pay any attention to those who have one of the greatest awards heaven will ever present.

Revelation 2:27-29 describes the reward as “the morning star.” It’s given to those who have overcome and who never involved themselves with the “deep things of Satan.” What a wonderful thing for a young person to say: “From an early age, I knew that Christ was the way. And if I had to choose Him all over again, I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

---

We all have a story to share – be it a life that Christ has had to work in to transform, or a life that has only ever known God’s blessings… Both are worth sharing with those around you to help bring them a step closer to Christ.

Read Full Post »

Eyes on the Harvest–Part 4a

The following excerpt is a continuation of the chapter entitled ‘Eyes on the Harvest’ from Wayne Cordeiro’s book “Jesus: Pure & Simple”.

Eyes on the Harvest – Introduction, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

The Face in Front of You

You may be a businessperson, a college student, or a housewife, and you can’t go into your work, school, or neighbourhood and hold an evangelistic crusade. It just won’t fly in your particular subculture. So where do you start?

Start where Mother Teresa suggested. Begin with the face that’s in front of you. It could be a neighbour, family member, a teacher at your child’s school, the co-worker in the cubicle next to you, or the checkout clerk at the supermarket. [Or as a good friend of mine would say the person sitting next to you in the bus, train or plane]. When paths cross, never define it as coincidence. There is no randomness with God.

When we’re near the door, three main strategies will guide us in helping bring people a step closer to Jesus. [For the next few weeks I’ll post one of these main strategies each week].

Understand the “Nudge”

Think of a “nudge” as a small prod you give another person toward Christ. It might just be a word of encouragement or a whispered reassurance. A nudge has no great goal or agenda in mind. It’s not an altar call or thrashing an unsuspecting pagan with a family Bible.

It’s a small encouragement. The reminder of a promise. The hint of your support. You don’t wait for a response. No reply necessary. You simply plant a seed and wander off.

There was a tiny Filipino woman in our condo who cleaned the carpets. She came as quietly as she left. I passed by her in the hallway of our building week after week but never asked her name or paid much attention. One day I thought, “Today I’m going to make an effort to ask her name when I see her.”

I noticed her cleaning the hallway, so I made a detour to talk with her. That was all. Consider it a nudge. No great agenda. No ulterior motive. Simply nothing other than to let her know she was appreciated and her efforts at keeping the common areas clean did not go unnoticed.

Think of it this way:

Around the neck of every person is a big sign that reads: “Please help me to feel valuable today.”

So I did. The following week she remembered me, and I remembered her name. I could now greet her by name, and this I did for several weeks. Not long after that, i noticed her showing up in church. And a few months later at our Easter services, she received Christ.

It all started by stopping and noticing her because maybe she was secretly stretching toward the hem of His garment. That why I need to stand by the door.

People are passing by the door of the kingdom, but they don’t realise they can enter in. They need someone to help them step through the passageway.

It didn’t take a city crusade for the woman to find Jesus. It just took a nudge.

Read Full Post »

Eyes on the Harvest–Part 3

This a continuation of the excerpts taken from the chapter entitled ‘Eyes on the Harvest’ from Wayne Cordeiro’s book “Jesus: Pure & Simple”.

Eyes on the Harvest – Introduction, Part 1, Part 2

Baptisms and an Orange Robe

[Wayne’s] church (New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu, Hawaii) has grown quite a bit since it’s inception, and there are quite a few notables who attend: prominent officials in government, influencers in business, and many who are skilled in the arts. I’m thrilled that our church reaches all types of people, including well-known ones, but we would be far off the mark to think that our church only exists to reach the “important” ones.

A few weeks ago we held a baptism. I like to joke that we baptize in the largest baptismal pool in the U.S., the Pacific Ocean. That particular Sunday afternoon, we were baptizing just over a hundred people. The service is held in an open-air public venue, so it is hard to tell a regular from a visitor, and a veteran from one who was simply strolling by.

A few minutes before the service began, I noticed a middle-aged man mingling among the crowd. I had never seen him before, and I had no idea if he was connected to our church, if he had lost his way, or if he had just stopped by for a meal. He was as round as he was tall with a friendly face that reminded me of the kind-faced monk in Robin Hood known as Little John.

Most strikingly, he was clothed in a bright orange robe. Under his arm was tucked a large conch shell. “Would you like to hear it?” he said excitedly. “Go for it!” I said, and that he did!

Now if you know how to blow one of these abandoned crustacean dwellings, its romantic sounds can remind you of a moonlit evening on a South Pacific island. Blown poorly, however, it will resemble the bellowing of a pregnant cow. You see the risk?

“By the way,” he asked before his audition, “would you mind if I blow my conch when people come out of the water after being baptised?”

In more than thirty years of pastoral ministry, this was a first for me. I usually think pretty fast on my feet, but on this one, I was stumped. I figured the most pastoral thing I could do was … to pass the buck to another pastor. I told him that I would be happy to introduce him to our worship leader, who was standing about fifty feet away.

Our music director was leading a small band of worshippers on a nearby stretch of sand. Upon arriving, I told my newfound friend to repeat his request. After hearing “Little John’s” appeal, I heard the music director reply, “Sure! We’ll work that right into our arrangement!” I smiled. Deliverance!

I stepped into the ocean. We prayed with each one, and when the candidate arose from him or her watery grave, I could hear a sound coming over the waters. But it wasn’t the sound of a bovine. It was like the blast of many trumpets. It had a ring of triumph, a sound of victory.

Later on I discovered something precious … Right by the door.

One of the ministries we have at New Hope is led by a dear woman, Carolina. She leads a ministry to marginalised people: the homeless, hurting, forgotten, and disabled. It turned out that the man in the robe, Andrew, worked with Carolina’s ministry. Andrew had brought six people with him to be baptised that day. Three in wheelchairs, one was hunched over from scoliosis of the spine, and another was unable to speak. And there was Frank.

I noticed that one of Frank’s arms hung limp by his side, but it didn’t seem to hamper him at all. I learned that Frank had lived for more than eleven years under a bridge near the highway. He had recently received Christ and was excited about his faith. Interestingly he wasn’t only homeless, he was a leader among the homeless. (I wasn’t aware that such a thing existed.) Frank explained that sometimes homeless camps can be quite organised.

“You know,” said Andrew, “Frank could help us lead many homeless people to Christ.” We baptised Frank that day. I found him later among the crowd and gave him a hug. We talked for a long time afterward, and as the afternoon sun stretched its long, pastel arms over the waters, I noticed the calm radiance that came over Frank.

You can tell the difference between the surface smiles and the deep ones. “Frank,” I said, “do you think that one day we could take a music group under the bridge and hold an evangelistic festival for the bridge people?” “That would be just wonderful,” he said.

So that day another ministry began to emerge. Frank is now a wonderful volunteer leader at the church, and I look forward to his helping us reach homeless people for Christ. Frank stays near the door.

If our eyes are on the harvest, we won’t miss a Frank, and Andrew, or anyone else He’d stop the parade for.

It would have been so easy in the beginning for me to judge Andrew with his orange robe as an oddball, a throwaway person. But in actuality he was a minister of the gospel reaching the ones I had forgotten. Andrew stayed near the door.

It’s always a temptation for a church to keep its reputation shiny and polished, but that’s not necessarily who we are. We welcome the VIP’s, but we stay near the door for the one or two who are hidden by the crowd and silently reaching toward His hem. If our eyes are on the harvest, we won’t miss a Frank, an Andrew, or anyone else He’d stop the parade for.

Consider that throughout much of the Bible, Jesus reached out to bridge people – like a woman caught in adultery and a leper ringing a bell, crying, “Unclean!” He loved the lame man, the one with the withered hand, the blind, and the disabled by the pool of Bethesda.

The harvest comes in ways least expected. That’s why Jesus stayed near the door.

Read Full Post »