(3) Opening day of deer hunting season is recognized as ...

(3) Opening day of deer hunting season is recognized as an

official church holiday.

Having served in a church for years, I’ve noticed that there are occasions where I can always tell that the crowd is going to be thin for that Sunday. Some of them I didn’t mind too much. Fathers Day and Mothers Day, it seemed like a lot of the younger crowd was gone to spend time with their parents, hopefully at church worshipping together first, then maybe a meal and time spent talking after that.

Super Bowl Sunday was another one. The crowd would start to thin for the morning service (they had to stay home and clean/prep the house/food), and then the evening service would only be the “Die Hard’s” that never had an interest in sports or a reason not to come to church. I often times considered having a Big Screen TV put on the pulpit, and then I would preach during commercials and half time. But then they would be more interested in the commercials than the sermon probably.

The mentality of “wanting a reason not to have to come to church” is one that I can understand. (read the beginning blogs if you haven’t already.) People do not understand the reason to come to church. And when we get them there, they don’t understand what they are supposed to do while they are in church. Is it no wonder that people don’t want to come to church? People don’t like being where they feel “lost” or “left out” and they are unsure of why they are even there, except maybe that they are to be there because that is how it has always been done.

We know that as Christians we have to change. As a church we have to change. If what we’re doing isn’t working now, shouldn’t we want something that is? If you are a church leader, start today to educate the congregation and those around you as to the real meaning of Christianity and how the church needs to become Christian again. Then the whole world can see Christians as being united, and all of the same mind and accord. Then as Christians we can make a difference in the world today.

Do your Ministries know how to Minister?

From a Previous Blog:

Make sure that the church ministries are doing something to minister to the congregation and community. Is this a time when the men or women meet, eat, and gab about the latest news? Or do you have speakers who can come in and motivate, educate and get something going or furthering a goal of the group? Have the ladies start a quilting/sewing club that meets, and can also listen to the heartbeat of the community when they come to join in the group. Men, start a group that gathers regularly and goes hunting or fishing or some other popular sport in the area. Invite non-church members who love the sport to join in. Have a “wild life” supper near the end of the hunting seasons to celebrate the time and the catch that was shared together.

Every church and every community is going to be different. Different areas of the country will have different needs and likes/dislikes. If you’re by a seaside community, you will likely have more tourists in your area than a small town in the middle of the state with no particular place of interest near it. Make sure that your ministries match the needs of the community.

Some towns have a higher number of unemployed and/or homeless people living there. These places need to have shelters, especially when weather conditions are going to be bad. You do not have to have a shelter full time either. During hurricanes along the coast, blizzard conditions in the mountains, or excessive heat in the flatlands, open your social/fellowship hall to meet the needs. Provide ice water and a cool place to come in and relax for a while during the heatwave. This will also give you a chance to sit and talk to people and find out what their needs are, and if you can help them. Turn up the heat and have your congregation bring blankets for people to curl up on and get out of the cold for the night. Give the homeless a shelter during a hurricane so that they do not lose their lives due to falling trees, power lines or other weather conditions.

If you have a large number of motels or b&b’s around you, consider putting up flyers about your service, and let people know that they are welcome in your church, even if they do not have “Sunday Clothes” with them to wear. Jesus didn’t require people in His presence to go get dressed up before He would teach/preach to them. So why should we? Offer donuts/pastries and tea/coffee before service. The vacationers may have missed the continental breakfast at the place that they were staying, and this would give them a reason to come check you out.

Yes, they won’t be there to be an active part of your ministry on a regular basis. But what if they either do not attend a church, or they attend one where they are not being taught. This could be your chance to make a difference. Plus, many people like to explore and check out a community before they move there. This could be a way of getting them pre-interested in your church for when they return to live there in your community.

There are many other ideas, but these are a few to get you thinking about how you can minister to the community and the church members around you. Think about what you have for your surroundings, and build a ministry that will match the interests. Needs will be met, and hopefully people will become closer to God in the process.