Disciple Making[1]
In December 2008 our congregation celebrated our 50^th anniversary. What a fantastic time we had renewing old relationships and looking back. It was nice, but, it also pointed out a problem. We were looking backwards not forward. The longer any organization exists the more this trend takes hold. It is called institutionalism. Institutionalism causes the organization (churches included) to be more and more concerned about its own preservation than its original purpose. They judge everything against the past and look inward instead of outward. This is unbelievably tough to reverse. However, to thrive as the Church of Jesus we must turn around and become outwardly focused. We must remember that our first priority is to make disciples. We can do many things but making disciples is the only essential thing we must do. Jesus told his disciples “...Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life,^[2]

Social Networking
To reach more for Christ we must remember that non-Christians come to Christ mostly through relationships. It is amazing how often I have forgotten this and I know most of you have too. I keep reminding myself of this principle, especially when I want to hole up in my house and just retreat from my world. Vacation Bible School is a fantastic way to teach our young people about Jesus, but it will not build the church unless we make those parents who brought their children our friends, and then build a relationship with them.

To apply this principle we need to remind ourselves in concrete ways, of those friends outside the church of their need and our opportunities. We need to keep them in our prayers and we need to pray for our own boldness in asking them to come with us to church. Now attending a service alone is not enough. We also need to engage them in our own Christianity.

Felt Needs
The unchurched of Miami or any other city are mostly likely not walking around thinking about their spiritual needs in spiritual terms. They are more likely thinking about their needs. For some it is their finances in this economic downturn. It may be their jobs, they children, their marriage, hobbies, school or any number of other things. We need to be able to show these friends of ours how Christ is relevant to their lives. I recently spoke about the woman at the well. Jesus made a simple thing like a drink of water so very relevant to her life. One of the main applications of that story is to make the topic of interest something the other person can understand. In this case it was water. Try to think in terms of the other person’s needs and agenda when you reach out to another. Don’t focus on your self.

Here are some felt needs of people today:

• The need to belong. Lonliness and isolation haunt many people today. People want to be part of a group
• The need for balance and margin in their lives.People feel the stress and pressure of an increasingly fast-paced world.
• The need for authentic, genuine relationships with others.
• The need for help in life transitions. It is easy to feel overwhelmed with change.

We must speak and program to the felt needs of people today, not continue programs simply because they met needs of people of generations past.

Relationships
I am praying that our participation in the National Back to Church Sunday (September 13^th) is very successful in filling up our sanctuary. However, bringing our unchurched or formerly churched friends to worship with us that day will not keep them returning. The primary thing that keeps people coming to church is relationships. Friendship is the glue that keeps a church together. If people have real friendships in church they will keep coming back.

Now remember priority number one. Attendance at church is not the 1^st priority, making disciples is the 1^st priority. However, we can not make disciples without fellowship and worship as part of mix of things that helps us to grow in Christ. Hebrews 10:25 exhorts us to “^Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.^[3]

Many have left the church saying they are able to worship more effectively alone. However, it’s just not true. It’s an excuse to avoid being accountable. Because of our bent toward sin, we need the accountability the body provides.

Transitions
The transitions that everyone goes through provide windows of opportunity for the church. Not everyone outside of faith in Christ is equally receptive to the gospel message. Even though we are to continue to plant seeds, sometimes the seeds fall on bad soil and sometimes on good soil.

So how do we identify the most receptive people in our little world? Significant changes in lifestyle provide transitions that move people toward receptivity. These may be changes like marriage, divorce, becoming a parent, major sickness, the death of a loved one, a job change or job loss are all things that cause a person to stop and think. If we have developed a friendship with people experiencing these transitions we have also earned the ability to extend unconditional love to them. If we really care, they will listen. Their transition is our opportunity to show the love of Christ to them.

These growth principles are very effective. However, we should never apply them to grow our church. That’s putting the cart before the horse. We need to apply them to others because God himself through his children applied them to us. We love because God first loved us. Any other reason is simply not Christ-like.

[1]Charles Arn: The Top Five Church Growth Principles,ttp://www.rev.or

^[2]Peterson, Eugene H.: The Message : New Testament With Psalms and Proverbs. Colorado Springs, Colo. : NavPress, 1995, S. Mt 28:1

^[3]Peterson, Eugene H.: The Message : New Testament With Psalms and Proverbs. Colorado Springs, Colo. : NavPress, 1995, S. Heb 10:1