Let us not forget the Great Commission. It is imperative that we get as many people saved

as possible before The Messiah’s Return, which is soon.

“¹Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,  ² That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.  ³ Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

ow to Grow a Dead or Dying Church -1.  Beloved in Christ Jesus, blessings to you from our Father.  Have a wonderful day in the Lord and a safe Fourth of July weekend for those who celebrate this occasion. Peace be unto you.

During this season of the Last Days of societies as we know them on the earth, in America one can look around and see a church everywhere you go, but evil seems to abound. Additionally, churches are closing here and there with church congregations dwindling ever so slowly and the elders in the churches dying and going home to be with the Lord.  How can there be so many churches, in some places—it seems to be five or six in every neighborhood or one on every corner—with evil prevailing, seemingly everywhere? How can we stop the apparent slow death of our churches? Here are some things, which I have learned during my short time here in America.  You may find these ideas to be quite helpful in your situation. These are not necessarily in ranking order.  These ideas work. Thanks for listening.

                 How to stop your church from dying. How to grow your church.

1. After Church every Sunday have snacks for those in attendance. This will take an investment of church member’s time and money, but the return in tithe and offerings and the increase in the church membership is well worth this effort. A) Instead of rushing home to get food, those who are in dire need of food can go to the fellowship hall to eat. No fellowship hall; set it up at the back of the church and let them eat in the pews. B) Do not forget these are tough economic times (I believe to get tougher yet.) and there are people who do not have much to eat and do not eat often; especially children. C) When the community realizes that the local Church is serving food at the end of service for attendees, guess what? They will come and you can bless them with spiritual (eternal) food and physical (temporal) food. D) Let it be known that the dress code rules have been lifted so they can come as they are—just come. When they come in ragged clothes, you have to love them just as they are—clothes, smell, sin, and all. Know this: Jesus will be in the crowd.  E) Pass out some type of handout to the new attendees about the Church, or Jesus, or a Scripture lesson; something to connect them to the Church.  F) Each week a different Church group (Mission Board, Deacon Board, Usher Board) can bring the food items. Or two or more members can be delegated each week to bring something.
2. Have a Christian band play at the Church every Friday night.  You do not have to have a band or singing group there every Friday night, but the group does have to cater to the youth. This is not for the old folks, though they can attend. Do not have any ole time singing groups, though I love them and will listen to them anytime; this is for the young people. Young people require hip, cool, “now” type of music. A) The music can be rap, rock and roll, or any type of Christian up-tempo music.  B) The children will be at church. They will not be in the streets. And the word will get out that there is something going on at your Church on Fridays. C) If you do not have a place for the band, have it in the sanctuary. “Not in the sanctuary,” you say, “Heaven forbid.” Remember, if you do not do something, that sanctuary will belong to the bank!  Oh, I forgot, it does belong to the bank, unless you have the deed. If not in the sanctuary, do it in the fellowship hall.  If possible, do on the church lawn; but do it at your church.  The youth, the people in the community, and the people this event serves must make the connection of this event and your Church.  D) When you get and keep young people in your Church, the parents tend to follow, wondering what in the world got my child so church-focused. A young church is not a dying church. And guess what?  The children will bring their friends.