Dirk was about to begin...
Illustration
Dirk was about to begin seminary when he was assigned to a small church in a nearby
community. As he met with the people of the church, he discovered that they really
wanted to grow. New houses were being built all around the church.
Dirk admits being green around the edges and was unsure what to do, but he organized teams to visit house by house in several of the new neighborhoods. The visitors were not to force their way into the houses or debate controversial topics but simply to introduce themselves and their church. The only question they would ask was if there was any need they could pray for. People told of specific needs, the stress of raising their children or dealing with aging parents, and some asked for prayer for personal manners. All in all, this was a good experience for those in the church who went out into the neighborhood. The experience left them feeling good.
The next Sunday they stood at the door waiting to welcome the people they met in the neighborhood to their church. However, that Sunday they were disappointed when none of the people they visited came to church. Dirk gave them a pep talk, telling them not to be discouraged. Meanwhile, other teams embarked on similar missions in the local neighborhoods. The result was the same, people appreciated knowing that someone was praying for them, but still no one came to their church.
Six months later, the first family attended worship. Soon after that, other people from the neighborhoods that were visited began attending as well. For the first time in a long time, people began joining the church. By the time Dirk graduated five years later, the church had grown by 25% and was recognized by the annual conference for its growth.
Jesus sends us out to where people live to share our faith knowing that not everyone will respond, but some will. And when one person responds, we feel a sense of joy and all of heaven rejoices.
Dirk admits being green around the edges and was unsure what to do, but he organized teams to visit house by house in several of the new neighborhoods. The visitors were not to force their way into the houses or debate controversial topics but simply to introduce themselves and their church. The only question they would ask was if there was any need they could pray for. People told of specific needs, the stress of raising their children or dealing with aging parents, and some asked for prayer for personal manners. All in all, this was a good experience for those in the church who went out into the neighborhood. The experience left them feeling good.
The next Sunday they stood at the door waiting to welcome the people they met in the neighborhood to their church. However, that Sunday they were disappointed when none of the people they visited came to church. Dirk gave them a pep talk, telling them not to be discouraged. Meanwhile, other teams embarked on similar missions in the local neighborhoods. The result was the same, people appreciated knowing that someone was praying for them, but still no one came to their church.
Six months later, the first family attended worship. Soon after that, other people from the neighborhoods that were visited began attending as well. For the first time in a long time, people began joining the church. By the time Dirk graduated five years later, the church had grown by 25% and was recognized by the annual conference for its growth.
Jesus sends us out to where people live to share our faith knowing that not everyone will respond, but some will. And when one person responds, we feel a sense of joy and all of heaven rejoices.
