A Message From Our DS
Three times in three verses the Lord says to Joshua, “Be Strong and Courageous”. In the face of uncertainty and with the confidence of faith, Joshua was told to “Be Strong and Courageous” because God was going to be with him in this new land flowing with milk and honey (Joshua 1:6-9). By putting our faith and trust in the Lord we can “Be Strong and Courageous” even though we know that there are giants (obstacles and uncertainties) in the Promise Land.
I believe the Lord’s Word is still relevant today. For many congregations it seems like the obstacles (giants) are just too large to overcome. Obstacles like their church’s declining worship attendance, the lack of young people and children, the lack of new people creates worry about whether their church will close. The problem is that some churches are not reaching new people.
A “Bold and Courageous” congregation seeks to reach new people, more people. We believe Jesus died for us. We believe that Jesus died for all. We say God so loved the world that he gave His son (John 3:16). Does the fruit of our churches bear out that we really believe this? Today congregations are shrinking while the percentage of those not connected to a congregation is growing.
We need to “Be Bold and Courageous”! It is time we get out of our churches and back into the streets where the new people are - to begin to build relationships with those not currently connected in our church.
This is part of our heritage that we received from Jesus and John Wesley. Jesus went to where the people were. Wesley went to where the people were. He ended up preaching from a tombstone in order to carry the gospel message to all. We need to pray and ask God, “Where are the tombstones we need to stand on
in our community today… the places where we can encounter Christ and people in the streets?”
There is a Promise Land! We will only reach it if we are
“Bold and Courageous”!!!
~Wayne
[email protected]
(757) 473-1592
I believe the Lord’s Word is still relevant today. For many congregations it seems like the obstacles (giants) are just too large to overcome. Obstacles like their church’s declining worship attendance, the lack of young people and children, the lack of new people creates worry about whether their church will close. The problem is that some churches are not reaching new people.
A “Bold and Courageous” congregation seeks to reach new people, more people. We believe Jesus died for us. We believe that Jesus died for all. We say God so loved the world that he gave His son (John 3:16). Does the fruit of our churches bear out that we really believe this? Today congregations are shrinking while the percentage of those not connected to a congregation is growing.
We need to “Be Bold and Courageous”! It is time we get out of our churches and back into the streets where the new people are - to begin to build relationships with those not currently connected in our church.
This is part of our heritage that we received from Jesus and John Wesley. Jesus went to where the people were. Wesley went to where the people were. He ended up preaching from a tombstone in order to carry the gospel message to all. We need to pray and ask God, “Where are the tombstones we need to stand on
in our community today… the places where we can encounter Christ and people in the streets?”
There is a Promise Land! We will only reach it if we are
“Bold and Courageous”!!!
~Wayne
[email protected]
(757) 473-1592