Hi All

I am currently helping a local church to set up a plan how to retain and to recruite new members for the church. They have a goal which they whould like achieve in 3 years but need some sources of information. They would like to increase their membership from 180 members to 1500 in 3 years, which they believe can be done with help of the Lord. Cause with God all things are posible.

I have set up a plan together with some other people but would still love to here from you all. Please refer me to sources which we can use to achieve our plan.

Kindly regards

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2003

Answers

Setting numeric goals are good in most endeavors however; should not God add to the church daily those that are being saved? Demographics will have more to do with how many are saved at a particular church than the setting of goals, etc. Be Blessed

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2003

Thank you brother Jerome for bringing up the topic of evangelism.

What exactly do we mean by evangelism? Do we want to be the "AME Witnesses?" Do we want to go door to door interrupting the lives of people in the name of growing churches? Do we want to stand on the corners holding up the recorder, the secret chamber and the ame review?

Okay that was a bit much, but seriously when we set numeric goals for our evangelistic outreach what are we saying? I would proclaim that our goal should be the spiritual growth and development of all of our brothers and sisters in Christ. If they grew then other would ask what's up with you and they might be able to share the story of a God who invites them to the table to sup with him. They might share the story of God who brings comfort in the time of trouble and they might share the story of God who always cares for the oppressed.

Then people would want to know this kind of God for themselves and not just become new members of the church but become members of the kingdom of God.

Just a thought

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2003

But still we to consider what Jesus did when He was still on earth. He went out looking for the saved and unsaved and bringing them nearer to God. He has set himself goals and He has done everything that He could to ensure that His purpose on this eath was fulfilled.He died on the cross of Calvary for that purpose. But what are we doing, we try to reach the other by others. What does that mean, we don't want to make sacrafices like Christ did.

We should labour among the saved and the unsaved as long as we live cause that is what Christ wants us to do...

'Go and preach My gospel said the Lord,..."

Love and peace

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2003