Where is everybody? What am I doing wrong? Why can't I encourage better attendance? Why don't visitors come back? How do I reach out to the community? Do I have a friendly welcoming Church? Is it my sermons?
These are often the questions that Pastors, Ministers, Priests, Board Members, Discipleship Deacons and Elders find themselves pondering when membership lags and growth seems to have ceased.
"We only had 11 visitors ALL YEAR! If they even come once or twice we never see them again."
"We've tried everything. We advertise, we visit, we have Bible Studies, we participate in the community and have small groups...Why don't we grow?"
"If we continue to lose members in this economy we will be forced to make serious cuts in our budget. We may even have to close the doors. As it is now, we have to worry even when we get an unexpectedly high utility bill."
GROW OUR CHURCH was inspired by God's plan for a small, struggling Church, with only 15 active members in a rural community, located in central Illinois. Within two weeks of implementing the plan, attendance tripled, as did the collections.
We take absolutely no credit for this plan, as it was inspired of the Lord one Sunday morning.
I was visiting a neighboring Church, prayerfully considering a friend's struggle with his own small congregation. They received little or no help from within their denomination and survived on the generosity of a few, or gifts left from estates and those led of the Lord to sustain them.
Each week brought them closer to having to consider disbanding. One more repair or one more unexpectedly large utility bill could break them. The average age of the dwindling congregation was 72. Virtually all of the members were retired. They had reached a point where they could no longer even sustain the Vacancy Pastor's travel and small stipend for Sunday Services. The decision was pending to have the congregation's President deliver the lesson.
Following a business meeting in February of 2009, it was determined that my friends Church would revert back to a home study group and see if renting out the property would save the building. It was this very day that I received God's step by step detailed plan to intervene.
As I sat there, during the praise and worship portion of the service, God spoke and I wrote down every inspired thought. In thirty minutes I received a plan to GROW OUR CHURCH. This detailed plan was to be implemented over the course of one year and achieved immediate results. The best part is that it can even be implemented by the Pastor alone, or in the event you no longer have a Pastor...just one leader.
We are a non-denominational organization committed to the fundamental Biblical principles of growing the Church, inspired by the Word and Spirit of God. To Him be all the glory, Forever and Ever, Amen.
Would you like to see your attendance increase dramatically in just a few months? We firmly believe that with God’s plan, prayer and blessing, you will see immediate results. What do you have to lose?
Grow Our Church, will guide whomever you select, to implement God’s plan for bringing His beloved children into your Church. The only tools you will require are the willingness to PRAY, pick up the phone and call us. With one able bodied representative and at least a handful of prayer partners, you will make the connection for the Lord to bless your endeavors to GROW OUR CHURCH.
We will provide you with an entire year's worth of Sermon Topics that will get right to the hearts and minds of your new visitors. They will be inspired, focused, intrigued and enjoy experiencing your church. This program is designed to touch their hearts and provide enjoyment for all in attendance.
This is a "wonderfully touching, heartwarming spiritual experience, that not only reaches out, but gives back to your community. It will soon be the "TALK OF THE TOWN."
God promises to do the rest. Your church will plant the seed and soak it in a little water...the HOLY SPIRIT will take it from there. Every month you implement the Grow Our Church program, your community will take notice. You will reach individuals and families who thought they would NEVER walk into a church. You will bring back those who have walked away. This is an exciting ministry that will be fun for everyone and breathe life back into your congregation.
If you are reading this, it is NOT by accident.
Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
We are given the commission to evangelize. We are empowered to do so! We are not alone! WE…do not have to do anything but GO. The Holy Spirit takes control as soon as we GO.
Matthew 9:37-38, Then saith he unto his disciples, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest.”
Prayer is an essential component to success.
Matthew 5:14-16, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Folks cannot see your light or hear the Word unless you reach out to them.
Deuteronomy 4:29, “But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”
Matthew 4:19, “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
II Timothy 4:5, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
Matthew 16:15-19, He saith unto them, “But whom say ye that I am?” And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered and said unto him, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
We are PROMISED that if we will just GO we will be empowered, that He will build the Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. God will bring His sheep into the fold if we will provide a place for them to be fed.
Acts 2:36-47, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
This is the example. Peter and the apostles reached out. They were wise and followed the Great Commission. The Lord empowered them and the Spirit worked in their hearts and the hearts of those who were called to repentance and baptism and thousands were added to the Church.
Be the first in your community to implement the Grow Our Church plan. Watch how quickly the pews fill up with new faces. How many times have you said, "If I could just get them in the door once." ????
God's plan to Grow Our Church is simply exciting and your congregation will truly enjoy each presentation and look forward with anticipation to the next. Each month will bring new faces, new experiences and inspiration to all. Challenging messages will touch the hearts of your congregants through simple recognition and discussion of who we are, day in and day out. Families, friends, grandparents, neighbors, teenagers, co-workers, the curious...they will come. Your local radio stations, public TV and newspapers will want to participate.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
CALL RIGHT NOW FOR A FREE CONSULTATION OR SIMPLY SEND US AN E-MAIL. REMEMBER...ALL WE ARE COMMANDED TO DO IS GO!
Phone 815-545-5858 or E-mail arthenschen@earthlink.net. For your convenience, you may also utilize the CONTACT US FORM found on the HOME PAGE MENU.