My wife gives me a hard time because I am a sucker for food commercials. If I see Olive Garden promising a 4 course meal for $12, Allison might as well get ready and hop in the car because more than likely we are going. While it may not be food, we get all suckered in by one thing or another don't we? That's why companies throw so much money at advertising and marketing. They know if they get the perfect image and the perfect tagline that we will be drawn to their product like moths to a light.
In our culture, many churches have adopted similar strategies to attract people to come. Churches are being filled with dynamic speakers. Our lighting and sound makes our worship services more entertaining than a rock concert. We use bait to lure people in the door whether it be donuts, pizza, etc. And if we really want to guarantee a room is filled at church, all we have to do is cater Chickfila. I am definitely not saying that these things are bad. I don't even remember the last Bible study I did that I didn't offer free food. It gets people in the door and let's them hear about Jesus. However, no Christian movement in the Bible was born out of a great marketing strategy. No revival came about because of a great production. Rather, they were all born out of fervent prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit to move.
We are going to shoot for excellence in our preaching and singing and do everything we can to get people in the doors. But it is all for nothing if we are not trusting in God to move of the hearts of these students. It is very easy to mistakenly feel like we are self sufficient because when we want something done, we do it. But no life is going to be transformed unless God transforms it. A lot of you have asked how can we serve our youth. I challenge you first and foremost to please pray for our ministry. Pray for our students by name. Pray for the trips and events we go on. Pray for opportunities to share the Gospel. Pray for Allison and I as well as all the other leaders. Never stop praying. That way when we see God work and respond to our faithful reliance on Him, all the praise and glory will be unto His name.
In our culture, many churches have adopted similar strategies to attract people to come. Churches are being filled with dynamic speakers. Our lighting and sound makes our worship services more entertaining than a rock concert. We use bait to lure people in the door whether it be donuts, pizza, etc. And if we really want to guarantee a room is filled at church, all we have to do is cater Chickfila. I am definitely not saying that these things are bad. I don't even remember the last Bible study I did that I didn't offer free food. It gets people in the door and let's them hear about Jesus. However, no Christian movement in the Bible was born out of a great marketing strategy. No revival came about because of a great production. Rather, they were all born out of fervent prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit to move.
We are going to shoot for excellence in our preaching and singing and do everything we can to get people in the doors. But it is all for nothing if we are not trusting in God to move of the hearts of these students. It is very easy to mistakenly feel like we are self sufficient because when we want something done, we do it. But no life is going to be transformed unless God transforms it. A lot of you have asked how can we serve our youth. I challenge you first and foremost to please pray for our ministry. Pray for our students by name. Pray for the trips and events we go on. Pray for opportunities to share the Gospel. Pray for Allison and I as well as all the other leaders. Never stop praying. That way when we see God work and respond to our faithful reliance on Him, all the praise and glory will be unto His name.