Fifteen churches on the district...
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Object:
Fifteen churches on the district participated in a first-ever ministry fair. The event was
planned for a Saturday afternoon at a downtown church. Each church was asked to make
a display highlighting one aspect of their ministry. Several churches displayed a mission
emphasis. Other churches displayed their community outreach with Cub Scouts or
Brownies. Another church's children and youth ministry was the focus of their display.
There was much excitement the week before the ministry fair. People would be able to
see what churches in their county were doing. The hope was that people would be drawn
to the various churches.
When the appointed day arrived, there was widespread disappointment. It seems that the only people to attend were people from the various churches represented that had displays. Very few, if any, people came from the surrounding communities. One or two of the churches packed up their display and left early. While the idea was an excellent one, they failed to attract the people they so hoped and prayed they would.
Later at a district meeting, Denny suggested that they hold the ministry fair at the local mall. "Those are the people the church should be trying to reach," he said. His idea was met with mixed feelings. An older pastor said the church does not belong in the marketplace. Another pastor said that once a year the mall invites community agencies to come and share what they do, perhaps they could join them. "It makes sense," another pastor said, "to go to where people are already present."
The apostle Paul modeled this important principle. Paul went to places where people already were and was able to connect with them. In our lesson, Paul compliments the people for being, "extremely religious." "For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship ... What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you."
When the appointed day arrived, there was widespread disappointment. It seems that the only people to attend were people from the various churches represented that had displays. Very few, if any, people came from the surrounding communities. One or two of the churches packed up their display and left early. While the idea was an excellent one, they failed to attract the people they so hoped and prayed they would.
Later at a district meeting, Denny suggested that they hold the ministry fair at the local mall. "Those are the people the church should be trying to reach," he said. His idea was met with mixed feelings. An older pastor said the church does not belong in the marketplace. Another pastor said that once a year the mall invites community agencies to come and share what they do, perhaps they could join them. "It makes sense," another pastor said, "to go to where people are already present."
The apostle Paul modeled this important principle. Paul went to places where people already were and was able to connect with them. In our lesson, Paul compliments the people for being, "extremely religious." "For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship ... What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you."
