Our prayer is that you would be blessed and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit and that you will live a life focused on God and spread His message, as Jesus Christ provided the example to follow. Messiah Lutheran is here for you and your family. All of us at Messiah invite you to join our family as we live in the Word and go forth to spread the Truth to those we come in contact with. Please explore the website and pay attention to upcoming events. If you have questions or need assistance you can go to the “Contact Us” page. May God richly bless you today and as you continue your journey!
You are Invited !! Sunday
Early Service: 8:00 AM
Sunday Bible Classes: 9:15 AM
Late Service: 10:30 AM
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4 Things Every Church Can Do
(By Michael W. Newman read more at http://www.mnewman.org/blog.php)
Churches can feel helpless. My heart goes out to congregations that feel like they can’t do anything to grow or to take the next steps in ministry.
Some congregations feel left behind by popular and large churches in the area. Others feel inadequate to appeal to young people. Still others wonder how they can have vibrant music or appealing programs.
Are smaller, less flashy congregations destined for slow and certain death?
The answer is no–a resounding no. The key to Kingdom life lies in following the clear calling of Jesus and using the congregation’s strengths to reach people for Christ. What can a church do?
1. Mean what it says. If a church really wants to grow and reach new people for Christ, it has to actively accept, welcome, and embrace new people. It has to be open to new ideas and willingly hand off leadership to new individuals and families. It has to have as a goal raising up a new generation of Christian leaders.
2. Practice genuine love. People aren’t always looking for programs. Christian church shoppers may be doing that, but the unchurched are looking for genuine relationships and new purpose in life. If a congregation is good at being in relationship with family members and people in the community, the connections made will result in sharing Christ. Through words and actions, people outside the church will see Jesus if church members are practicing Christ’s self-sacrificial love. People will crave to be a part of such a community.
3. Help people find a purpose. As I mentioned in point two, people want to matter. They want to make a difference. If, even in some small way, a church can help connect people to making a difference in the world, both the young and old will beat down the door to be a part of that kind of community. If a church sincerely invest its time and resources into making a difference locally, in the broader community, nationally, and internationally–and invites people to be an active part in that, it will make and grow new disciples. Birthing new ministry efforts expands the family, brings excitement, and leads people into a purpose-filled future.
4. Be a place of new beginnings. People need God’s grace. If everything in the church from the gatherings to individual conversations can bring God’s grace in Jesus Christ to people, the church will become a place of refuge, joy, and vibrant new life. This requires constant repentance as we can so easily make God’s grace routine, boring, or one of the many items on the church agenda. If God’s grace prevails and permeates every part of church life, the congregation will be part of a multiplying movement of Kingdom life in the world.
Colossians 3:12-17
v.16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (ESV)
