Now that the vast number of people
in the world are aware of the gospel, and some of them are turning down the
message of salvation while others totally lockup their reception to the message
– several tactics are coming up from churches.
Unarguably, churches (all over the
world) are trying their best – in all capacities: they engage in open-air crusades;
house-to-house evangelism; mission works; prisons, hospitals evangelism; social
reformations (through skills acquisition programmes); church planting; house
fellowship; follow-up on new converts, newcomers; deliverance programmes (where
people that are in diverse bondages are set free); and media evangelism, among
others.
However, many of these churches get
it all wrong because they employ unacceptable tactics: they use tactics that
only multiply the plights of new converts, and add to the burden of the church
workers.
What is meant by the
wrong tactics churches use?
It has been said over time that the
only thing that is constant in life is ‘change’. In this light, we understand
that cultures change, and strategies to reaching every changing culture too
must adapt to changes – if the targets would be reached, with results to show
for it.
Manning. M. L, while comparing the behaviours of
youths in the past and present – lamented:
I see no
hope for the future of your people if they are dependent on the frivolous youth
of today, for certainly all youth are reckless beyond words… When I was a boy,
we were taught to be discreet and respectful of elders, but the present youth
are exceeding wise and impatient of restraint.[1]
The fact that cultures of the people
we are targeting change does not justify the use of wrong tactics. Females are
not to be used as baits for male converts or would be converts – likewise, men
are not to be used as baits for female converts.
from: crisisboom.com
There is a natural
order of witnessing the gospel and getting your results
The book of Acts 2 gave us a dramatic scene regarding the Day of Pentecost. The
disciples had the Holy Spirit come
upon them and started to speak in tongues: many people from various nations of
the world were there hearing their languages. Surprised, they all gathered and
were mocking the disciples of being drunk.
The Bible said, “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his
voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at
Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not
drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is
that which was spoken by the prophet Joel”. Acts 2:14-16.
Apostle Peter spoke the truth without fear, backed
his claims with scriptures, including the names of prophet Joel and some others
that the majority of the people are familiar with (he did not even talk about
culture). At the end, the Bible
says, “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said
unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do”.
Acts 2:37.
By estimations, it was recorded that
about 3,000 souls joined the church that day.
Then where do this present day
churches got the idea of using females to bring male converts and using males
to bring female converts (into the church) from?
This is shocking and calls for
serious thinking by church leaders. There are petty things that are not so
opened to the public which are tearing the efforts of the past church leaders
apart: several churches are just developing strategies to increase number of
worshippers (not number of heavenly bound Christians) without thoughts of the
implications on Christianity.
For God’s sake, this is a more
sophisticated generation. The gospel cannot be handled like any kind of
marketing activities that incur leverages on intimacy.
Final word, should
your church be in this practice
Whether you are a male or female,
God did not create you to serve as a bait for any church – in order to increase
attendance. When you were saved, it was not so that you could use your
spiritual maturity, understanding and insight – to serve as baits for the
opposite genders before they could come to your church.
You were saved to worship God; saved
to serve Him according to the dictates of the word of God; saved to bring
people to Jesus Christ – as the Holy
Spirit gives you the lead, and we are sure that He will not encourage you to serve as bait for any person to come
to church.
Doing that, you are only opening
yourself up to temptations that you might not be able to handle, and then, at
the end – you will find yourself going deeper in iniquity. God forbid.
You got a choice though. You either
let your pastor know that there are some other ways to increase the attendance
of the church or get yourself out of that church. When you will be joining
another church, however, it must be on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit always
helps when asked
Just know that you can get nothing
from the Holy Spirit unless you are
born again, or be in a consistent relationship/fellowship with God.
To be in relationship/fellowship
with God means that you keep His commandments,
and live by His word.
If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour before, you got your chance now. Kindly say this prayer:
Lord Jesus, please take over my life
henceforth. I realise I am a sinner and cannot save myself. Make me your
faithful follower (all the days of my life), and let the Holy Spirit be my guide, always.
In Jesus name I prayed, amen.
Congratulations, please:
Get a copy of Bible to read
daily.
Share the word of God with
people, at every opportunity you have.
Live on the word of God, not to
impress or hurt people, but to please God.
Pray daily.
Join a church that teaches
sound messages of the word of God
and be a worker there.
