To Attract, or to Compel?

We all want to feel wanted, and all ministers want their ministries to grow. Ministers all over the world are asking: How can we bring them in? How can we attract the attention of more people in our community to come and be part of our Churches, to get involved in the causes we champion? How do we increase the numbers?

But do we want followers of our limited selves, or do we want disciples of Jesus Christ, the Saviour King? The danger all ministers face is to make people depend on THEM, their words, their wisdom, their creativity, their advice. It's not wrong to dispense them, and it's not wrong for people to come to us seeking for these things - but when they all look to you as their answer and first port of call instead of Jesus, we've haven't done our job right.

Our questions instead should be: How can we best reveal Jesus to them? How can we show them that He has the power to help them? How can I help them fall in love with Him? How can I compel them to seek Him?

After serving in Church for most of my life, I have realised that I would much rather have a handful of passionate disciples of Jesus than an auditorium of spectators. It is the disciples that will rock the world; spectators are fickle and only want you for their fill of entertainment.

We should not be attracting people to ourselves and our programs. We need to point out Jesus and demonstrate His love and supernatural power - the people will come.