Is It Time to Re-Focus?

Dear Pastors

Is It Time To Re-Focus?

In so many ways the pandemic forced us to re-direct our attention as pastors to……..how shall we say it…….surviving. Most of us have had a tough time. Some of us are still reeling over it all according to Barna, Pew, commentary around the Great Resignation and heaps of chats I have had over the last 6 months with pastors and Christian Leaders. As I write the pandemic is over (even though Omicron isn’t), and the Church of Jesus Christ is still here and open for business.

Is now a good time to think (plan and strategise) afresh about our primary focus, namely reaching and winning not-yet-Christian people? I know you don’t need me to tell you about the spiritual needs of so many of our neighbours…….children, teenagers, young adults, mid-life adults and seniors and everyone in between……but can I remind you that “The Church exists primarily for the sake of those who are still outside it”. William Temple.

Over the last two weeks I have been both inspired and challenged by reading two articles so much so that I wish I was 40 all over again.

Every year, Outreach Magazine conducts its “100 Fastest Growing Churches in America” report in conjunction with The LifeWay Research team. To discover the state of evangelism in growing churches, ChurchLeaders studied the top-10 fastest growing churches. What we learned will inspire and equip you to focus on evangelism in your church as your #1 priority–for church growth and the kingdom of God!

Just a note: This is not a how-to article but rather an in-depth look at how church leaders develop a church evangelism strategy to effectively create a church culture for evangelism and how that culture for evangelism in partnership with the Holy Spirit results in the kind of dramatic life change. If you do nothing else please read this article. I am sure it will breath life into you and inspire you greatly.

The second is from Church Leaders entitled, ‘No, Christianity Not as bad as you think’. This article superbly dismantles five cultural narratives that are frequently associated with the Church. Again a fascinating read and eye opening. It reminds us that the gospel is good for culture. Admittedly both articles are written in America but I would argue are ever so relevant for us in NZ.

This then brings me to an event in November this year. Many of you will have heard about this already. It’s the ‘God Loves You Tour’. It’s an initiative by the BGEA (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) and will see Billy’s son Franklin preaching in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.

I am excited to have an involvement in this event. The Christian Life and Witness Course (CLWC) is an essential pre-cursor to the tour. This course inspires and encourages Christians to become effective witnesses and disciples of Jesus Christ. We plan on rolling out around 30 classes in each of the three cities, training about 10,000 people in September this year.

Here is a 10 minute radio interview Radio Rhema did with Franklin two weeks ago. A message that still needs to be heard

If you would like to know more please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Blessings
Alan