Evangelism/Outreach
Family camp
Sep/18/2007 12:44
Usually you go
to the mountains to hike. This time we were in the
mountains for the Providence OPC family camp
at Covenant
Heights near Estes
Park.
Although Rinette and I were ‘outsiders’ we were warmly welcomed and enjoyed the fellowship. The two-day camp (Friday night (August 31) and Saturday (September 1)) featured two speeches by Darren Thole, the pastor of the OPC in Hamill, SD. Both focused on the Great Commandment (Jesus’ command to go out and make disciples because he has all the power in heaven and on earth (Mt 28,18-20). I’d like to pass on some valuable things we heard there.
For whom is the Great Commandment? This is important: many people think that Jesus sent out the apostles only. This task has since been inherited by ordained preachers. Some (Reformed) people mistakenly think that unbelievers are only saved by the preaching of an ordained minister. The ‘laypersons’ cannot do anything. Instead, Jesus addressed the church as a whole, represented in the 11 disciples who were present.
Splitting up the church in laypeople and clergy is a Roman Catholic error. They say that the church only exists when the clergy (who are holy) is present, while the laypeople are secular. The New Testament speaks about believers differently: they are saints and they have the offices of prophet, priest, and king. This is why we call elders, deacons, and ministers the ‘special offices’: every church member has an office (which is called the office of all believers)! Every Christian has been anointed with the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion: we should all think more highly about our gifts and responsibility in contributing towards fulfilling the Great Commandment. Do not delegate this to the men with a special office. Realize that you know Christ and can tell others about him, and that you are a witness in how you behave. When you live a different lifestyle (not greedy, not defensive, not sloppy, but honest, hardworking, and friendly) people may begin to ask why you are different.
Another interesting and important element in the Great Commission is this: Jesus’ command to the church is: GO! This sheds light on the task of the church in the world. Why do you go to church? Is it only to be fed and encouraged for the coming week? There is more to the church. It is not only about teaching and fellowship. Jesus' command 'Go!' means that we cannotbe satisfied if the members receive what they need. God calls us to make disciples by preaching the gospel, baptizing those who believe, and teaching them to obey Jesus. We should not teach only those who are in church but continue to spread the gospel so that others may come to the Lord Jesus.
So we must bring the gospel to the unbelieving world. God is most praised when sinners repent and submit their lives to him.
We would like to invite you to come to this camp next year. We will pass on the invitation when we receive it.
Although Rinette and I were ‘outsiders’ we were warmly welcomed and enjoyed the fellowship. The two-day camp (Friday night (August 31) and Saturday (September 1)) featured two speeches by Darren Thole, the pastor of the OPC in Hamill, SD. Both focused on the Great Commandment (Jesus’ command to go out and make disciples because he has all the power in heaven and on earth (Mt 28,18-20). I’d like to pass on some valuable things we heard there.
For whom is the Great Commandment? This is important: many people think that Jesus sent out the apostles only. This task has since been inherited by ordained preachers. Some (Reformed) people mistakenly think that unbelievers are only saved by the preaching of an ordained minister. The ‘laypersons’ cannot do anything. Instead, Jesus addressed the church as a whole, represented in the 11 disciples who were present.
Splitting up the church in laypeople and clergy is a Roman Catholic error. They say that the church only exists when the clergy (who are holy) is present, while the laypeople are secular. The New Testament speaks about believers differently: they are saints and they have the offices of prophet, priest, and king. This is why we call elders, deacons, and ministers the ‘special offices’: every church member has an office (which is called the office of all believers)! Every Christian has been anointed with the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion: we should all think more highly about our gifts and responsibility in contributing towards fulfilling the Great Commandment. Do not delegate this to the men with a special office. Realize that you know Christ and can tell others about him, and that you are a witness in how you behave. When you live a different lifestyle (not greedy, not defensive, not sloppy, but honest, hardworking, and friendly) people may begin to ask why you are different.
Another interesting and important element in the Great Commission is this: Jesus’ command to the church is: GO! This sheds light on the task of the church in the world. Why do you go to church? Is it only to be fed and encouraged for the coming week? There is more to the church. It is not only about teaching and fellowship. Jesus' command 'Go!' means that we cannotbe satisfied if the members receive what they need. God calls us to make disciples by preaching the gospel, baptizing those who believe, and teaching them to obey Jesus. We should not teach only those who are in church but continue to spread the gospel so that others may come to the Lord Jesus.
So we must bring the gospel to the unbelieving world. God is most praised when sinners repent and submit their lives to him.
We would like to invite you to come to this camp next year. We will pass on the invitation when we receive it.
Church Growth
Aug/23/2007 11:00
This is an
entry about the past. Now that I’m living in
United States I reminisce about the church planting
work I was involved in in South Africa.
It is a strange feeling: the first two years there I thought nothing was happening. People were coming to the Bible studies and worship services, but I was measuring the progress by the number of people who became members, and that didn’t happen until 1999, 2 years after I started. So I thought it was going slow, but when I left in 2003, the church had grown to 75 members.
Compared to Colorado, though, that is the speed of light. I’ve been here three years, and the church has only shrunk! It is slowly growing again.
You can imagine that I am asking myself why I left the mission field in the first place.
The comparison teaches me a couple of things:
- as a servant of God, you must watch out not to be in it for success. A preoccupation with numbers may reveal just such a motivation. If I see many people join the church after I begin working there, I tend to think it’s because of me. The temptation is to see this as a personal victory: they like my sermons! They connect to me!
Don't think like that. Preach Jesus Christ and lead people to him, do not try to get a following.
- But how about justifiying a lack of effectiveness by saying ‘numbers don’t count’? That's another trap. When results are lacking you might say: 'that's because they reject the gospel.' How do you know you are not simply being ineffective, spending your time on the wrong activities or people?
I would look at the responses of people: have they understood the gospel and been brought to a decision? Then you have done your job. However, if you don't press for a decision for or against Christ, or if you did not preach the gospel clearly so that they could understand it, something is wrong. The gospel must be preached understandably and with love so that those who hear it know who Jesus is to them, see the need to repent and believe in him, and are drawn to his love.
- Numbers do count. God wants everyone to repent and believe in Jesus. Every person who follows him is one less in Satan's hellish kingdom and one more receiving joy in Gods' kingdom. That matters and makes a difference in eternity!
It would not be good if we did not care about the results of our efforts of sharing the gospel. It would constitute a lack of love for the sinners you talk to (like 'I don't care whether you believe in Jesus and live, or not') and it would take away from the glory of Christ (he sent you to tell the whole world that he is king, didn't he?).
In the end, it is not about statistics, but about hearts of real people transformed by the gospel. That counts.
It is a strange feeling: the first two years there I thought nothing was happening. People were coming to the Bible studies and worship services, but I was measuring the progress by the number of people who became members, and that didn’t happen until 1999, 2 years after I started. So I thought it was going slow, but when I left in 2003, the church had grown to 75 members.
Compared to Colorado, though, that is the speed of light. I’ve been here three years, and the church has only shrunk! It is slowly growing again.
You can imagine that I am asking myself why I left the mission field in the first place.
The comparison teaches me a couple of things:
- as a servant of God, you must watch out not to be in it for success. A preoccupation with numbers may reveal just such a motivation. If I see many people join the church after I begin working there, I tend to think it’s because of me. The temptation is to see this as a personal victory: they like my sermons! They connect to me!
Don't think like that. Preach Jesus Christ and lead people to him, do not try to get a following.
- But how about justifiying a lack of effectiveness by saying ‘numbers don’t count’? That's another trap. When results are lacking you might say: 'that's because they reject the gospel.' How do you know you are not simply being ineffective, spending your time on the wrong activities or people?
I would look at the responses of people: have they understood the gospel and been brought to a decision? Then you have done your job. However, if you don't press for a decision for or against Christ, or if you did not preach the gospel clearly so that they could understand it, something is wrong. The gospel must be preached understandably and with love so that those who hear it know who Jesus is to them, see the need to repent and believe in him, and are drawn to his love.
- Numbers do count. God wants everyone to repent and believe in Jesus. Every person who follows him is one less in Satan's hellish kingdom and one more receiving joy in Gods' kingdom. That matters and makes a difference in eternity!
It would not be good if we did not care about the results of our efforts of sharing the gospel. It would constitute a lack of love for the sinners you talk to (like 'I don't care whether you believe in Jesus and live, or not') and it would take away from the glory of Christ (he sent you to tell the whole world that he is king, didn't he?).
In the end, it is not about statistics, but about hearts of real people transformed by the gospel. That counts.