Thanks,

I was just going over this very thought in my mind and wondering why I feel so down and what can I do about it?

I’ve only been at my church for 8 mos and when I arrived I knew things were not where they should be.  I knew that there would a lot of hard work to get the church healthy, and I think were moving in that direction.  But, I also want the church grow in other areas, esecially in numbers.  I know it can.  There are plenty of prospects around and what is so disappointing is thre response to all the hard work we did in preperation for Easter.  We sent out 500 plus personalized invitations to prospects, mailed an additional card to the same ones welcoming them to our area, we put up 50 yard signs all around the county, we called, we visited, we passed out 350 personal invitations for people to invite, we had some free public serivce announcemnts, and we prayed.  We had a specical called prayer time for 24 hours where people were asked to come to the church to pray for the services and each person that would be here.  Only 2 hours of the day were not covered.

I was expecting at least 150 -175 people after all the work we did since we average 115.  We ended up with about 130 people.  It was just a bit disappointing for me.

The good news and this is what I am trying to focus on is the family that joined and the one that was saved last week that came forward.  Also, the many people that helped in all these endevors.  Some of the people worked a lot of extra hours and helped in so many ways.  For them as much as me, I was hoping for a bigger return on our investment.

Thanks for a forum to down load, its very important.  I pray God’s Kingdom was advanced greatly in your area.

Yes, I’m having a post-Easter “Blue Monday.” Actually,it’s been building for sometime. We’ve had a very wet & nasty winter and I’ve been BEGGING for Spring.  Good Friday was perfect. Saturday, it was suppose to rain but turned out BEAUTIFUL!  I attended one of those progressive Passion of Christ events that drew thousands of people!  I didn’t see the whole thing but there were moments were I sat holding my son and the tears rolled down.  Sunday was suppose to be stormy but it remained nice until late afternoon which meant that the little old lady I check on each week could come to church for Easter. Yesterday was the first Sunday for our new projection system!  We’ve had a special offering going for over a year and we were finally able to purchase the equipment a couple of weeks ago.  I thought it would be great if we could “dedicate” it on Easter Sunday morning.  Some said it couldn’t be done but I had a marvelous team and we got it together and we worked hard and really created some wonderful elements to go with the music and overall service.  There’s more than a years work, planning and effort completed! (sigh...what’s next!)
We had a great crowd! (for us) We average around 120 in Sunday School but we hit 155!  And oh, the people sang! God was in the house! This also comes close to marking my 1 yr “anniversary” of coming to this church. I’m both looking back and looking ahead.
Now, it’s Monday and it’s cold, damp and gray.  What happened to Spring?  I should be trout fishing!  But, I’m here but not getting much done.  I’ll go clean up in the Worship Center but I’m sure it will still be there tomorrow. (heehee) What did come to my heart and mind was, what if we celebrated Jesus and the work of the cross EVERY Sunday the way we do at Easter?  I don’t mean pagents and banners but with a spirit that continually proclaims, “He is risen!  He is risen indeed!” Yes, Christmas is wonderful and beautiful.  And the cross was both horrible and beautiful beyond words but the real news was & is an empty tomb!  Thanks for the topic and I’ll just ADjust my attitude and get focused...tomorrow.  haha
In Christ,
Ben E

Bernie’s comment on the “C.E.O.’s” is true for so much of our nation.  I wonder what our “numbers” will be like next Sunday?  Did we, through worship, the Word, the Love of Christ, the Holy Spirit, open a heart enough that they might want a little more?  Was a seed of a relationship planted that someone wants come back next Sunday and experiance more?  Will we as a church rise to that occasion?  I hope and pray so.
I also grieve for those who come to church on a regular or even a semi-regular basis but not much more.  Perhaps they have at one time made a commitment to Jesus Christ receiving Him as Savior and Lord but remain content with Sunday School and a morning service.  Were they “moved” to desire more than the forgiveness of sins through Christ and the cross and want to know more of the abundant “resurrected” life in Christ?  Was I?  Will we (myself included) slip back into the routine or will we/have we been rekindled to grow and reach for Christ?
I hope and pray so.
Ben E.