Populate or Disintegrate!!

Stagnant -- not advancing or developing (the economy is stagnant)

The economy is not the only thing that can go stagnant. How about a church going stagnant? How about your church growing stagnant and becoming irrelevant to our society?

What are some signs of a stagnant (dying) church? Consider these (list not exhaustive):
-Declining or steady number of baptism, attendance, and giving
-Little excitement for outreach or mission to save the lost
-Few new and young families
-Church work is perceived as what takes place inside the church building only
-Prevailing sense of complacency
-Witness and outreach effort are done mainly by the pastors
-A high percentage of inactive members

Jesus stated what our purpose as the church was and if we fail to follow this we become like the list above:

"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand — shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Mt 5:13-16 TMB

Who among us wants to be thrown out, to be put in the garbage? None of us do! But that is what a church is in danger of if they fail to realize why they are here. Too many think churches are all about them, getting their needs met, and gazing at each other’s navels.

It is not! It is about being the Kingdom of God here on earth and visible to the world! It means demonstrating God’s love to all. It means going out to bring them in. It means inviting people to our activities. It means going out to where they are so as to reach them. How will they be saved if they don’t hear the message from you and me?

How do we avoid becoming stagnant?
-Invite your friends to services and special events?
-Endeavor to pray and seek new souls for the Kingdom of God.
-Encourage young families to come to the church.
-Help with your churches outreaches?

We either populate the church with new souls and families or we disintegrate!

(Listen, I am in FL for vacation- last post for a week! See you again on the 18th. Until then stay safe!)