I don’t get Ed’s comment about groups versus volunteering. That seems to be very misguided and stating that you have to choose. Why not both? Also, many churches have seen the effects of people “doing” in the church and not who they are “becoming” thru true spiritual growth. Small groups are essential.

From experience, I agree compeltely!!

True statements about the importance of small groups, although I do not think he meant it as a literal choice seeing as how Fellowship Church utilizes both small groups and volunteers. Just a thought.

Hmm… I wonder about this “reaching people” idea. Do we do the reaching or does the Holy Spirit? Sounds like and attractional approach to ministry, but that has been revealed to produce people who do not believe in the authority of Scripture or in salvation by grace alone.

Just a thought

I agree with Pastor Ed. Volunteering is extremely important. Developing our God called gifting and serving at the same time sounds like discipleship.

“People will leave your church. Don’t chase the leavers”
Why not? Isn’t the church’s pastor an example of Christ’s shepherd? Didn’t Jesus say that the shepherd leaves the flock to find the missing one? And yes, I realize that the original premise of that teaching was intended to demonstrate that Christ (as the shepherd) will seek out the lost (those needing salvation). However, if nothing else, as an ordinary human with needs and desires of my own, I’d like to know why people are leaving. Maybe they misunderstood something and were offended by it. Perhaps if I clear the air, they won’t leave. Doesn’t sound very loving and Christ-like to me to discard people so cavalierly.

Should we make a distinction, then, between a church and THE church?

There are many different ways of “doing” church: liturgical, traditional worship, contemporary worship, etc.

Perhaps your church isn’t right for them ; pray that the Holy Spirit leads them to where they need to be and tend to the flock that remains.

As for Jesus, there are multiple examples of people who chose not to follow him or his teaching. We see him moving on to reach others rather than chase those who rejected him.

Blessings,

-jack-

Too often people leaving “a church” is viewed as a statement about preference (“different ways of ‘doing’ church”). My experience (as an elder in a local church) is that people most often leave because of unresolved conflict. The attitude expressed here – don’t chase the leavers – all too often validates the concern that leadership cares more about those who aren’t there than those who are.

I’m all for reaching the lost. But Jesus did command care for the sheep as well… and the attitude of “our way or the highway” is just plain wrong.