Wednesday, August 8, 2012

DOES MY PASTOR LOVE ME?

I heard Larry Osborne (author of Sticky Church ) say in a seminar:

"In a large church, the pastor's performance (preaching, leadership) is most important.
In a small church, the biggest question is, DOES THE PASTOR LOVE ME?"

Whether you agree or not, I think we realize that it is important for people to know their pastor loves them.  It may not even be a conscious thought.  But I have found that people will put up with a lot if they feel the pastor loves them and they love the pastor.

One of the keys to church growth is - take care of the people you already have.
This does two things:
1. It helps close the back door (people leaving the church).
2. People want to invite their friends to church (without that worthless exercise by the pastor every week - "Invite someone to church this week."

Consider these two verses:

"And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul; neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common."  Acts 4:32

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith."  Galatians 6:10

In the New Testament church, people were a part of a family where they were cared for.
In the 21st century church, people want to be part of a family where they are cared for.

In a new church or a small church, we can't have all the programs of a large church...
But we can love people!

7 ideas on how to show church people they are loved:

1. Talk good about your people.  When you say bad things about the church people behind their backs, it is hard to really love them.  When you don't really love them - they sense your true feelings.

2. Show appreciation.  How about making a habit of writing at least one thank you letter every week?  And I do mean real mail.

3. Be there for people in the special times of their lives - graduation, new baby, wedding, sickness, death of loved one.

4. Talk to everyone in your church - every Sunday.  Once you get over a few hundred this becomes impossible.  But in a church of 100, everyone should get a smile and warm welcome from the pastor.

5. Know their names and use them.  Know the names of their children.  Know the name of their dog.

6. Help people to get connected to other people in the church.  This can happen through church dinners, fun events, Sunday School, small groups, having people over for dessert, etc.

7. Listen.

To get a church bigger, I think we have to look small -
How well do we care for one person?

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