This past Sunday I was privileged to preach in a church that I always enjoy visiting. They have between 450-500 people attending two services and are enjoying steady growth. The week prior to my being there the church had over 100 people at a nearby Christian youth camp several of whom made professions of faith there. The worship services were good, the people were friendly, and they came expecting God to do something. Dress was casual. In fact, I received a message earlier in the week reminding me to dress casual. So many of our churches still demand their pastor wear a suit and tie so I am always happy to preach in slacks and a polo shirt. In some churches I feel like I am trying to penetrate a wall when I preach, but not in this church. It does not surprise me that the pastor has served this congregation for over two decades.
I don't mean to imply there are never problems in this church. Anytime you have more than one person in any group there are going to be disagreements, but I've watched this church over the years address them in a positive way so that they are not distracted from their mission. As a result, this church continues to grow. They reach young families and youth, the two groups most smaller churches struggle to reach. At the same time they attract senior citizens to their church as well. Why are they able to do that when so many churches cannot?
The minute you walk into the building on Sunday mornings you are met by people who obviously are glad to be there and glad you are there as well. There is a joy and enthusiasm present in that congregation that one cannot miss. People are smiling. They are friendly. There is a buzz present in the congregation that come from people talking with one another. There are the sounds of laughter heard throughout the building. When the service ended few people were in a hurry to leave. When I left there were still groups of people in the sanctuary and lobby enjoying one another's company.
These are also people who are fed a diet of good theological preaching and teaching. This church proves what numerous studies have found: you do not have to water down your preaching to attract people to your church. In-depth Bible studies are regularly provided for the congregation, and many in the congregation take advantage of those opportunities.
Contrast that to some other churches I visit. People sit stiffly in their pews speaking to one another in low tones, if they speak at all. Their faces look like they've sucked on a lemon on the way to church. There are no greeters at the entrances; only stacks of bulletins on a table or chair where the current membership knows to find them. The worship service lacks energy, and when it ends the people quickly leave the building inspired to eat lunch.
Christians and non-Christians alike quickly notice the differences between the two churches I've described. When people are looking for a church to attend which one do you think they will choose? They are going to be attracted to a church whose people are excited and enthusiastic about what God is doing in and through their congregation. They will be drawn to worshiping with people who are not afraid to laugh and who are excited to be in worship. Joy and enthusiasm in a church is contagious, and I hope your church is infecting your guests with them each week.
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