Who Helps Them Find Faith and Pastor Jims Response
In the surveys, when I asked people to identify those who had influenced them in their decision for Christ, some of the statistical differences were expected. For people raised in Christian homes, 80 percent identify their parents as one of the most important influences. Almost never does an unchurched person say that.
Other differences, however, were more surprising. For instance, I assumed that pastors - “the professionals” - would have a greater impact on unchurched people. Not so. Statistically, a pastor or a youth leader is more likely to nudge someone form a Christian home toward a decision than to help an unchurched person find faith.
What made the real difference with the unchurched were personal relationships. The majority who find Christ, look back and say that it was a friend who influenced them toward faith. In my interviews, over and over again, people shared about someone in relationship with them. This friendship may have been for a lifetime or just a season, but it was the right person at the right time that helped bring them to faith.
Denise was befriended by a teacher at her daughter’s daycare. Tom had a surfing buddy who came back after summer vacation totally changed by Jesus. John had a neighbor who loaned him tools and helped him in the yard. Phyllis was new in town and met another mom at the park who invited her to an Easter service.
I place much more confidence in the people of my church than I used to. I understand now that most of them are far better situated to lead unchurched people to Christ than I am. And I’ve learned that if I do lead someone to Christ, I will likely be wearing the “friend” hat and not the “professional minister” hat.
Mike Fleischman
Leadership JournalPastor Jims
Response
This is a great article for many reasons. It points out that friend relationships are the way most lost people come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It’s not the staff at the Church. It is the daily relationships we have through children’s soccer games, baseball games etc. It’s through the day to day life exchanges, that we have this opportunity to invite those we know to Church.
April 24, 2011 is Easter Sunday this year. Now is the time to plan for that Glorious day. This year make it your personal goal to fill the pew you sit in every Sunday. You can do that by inviting those you come in contact with every day. Begin by asking them this one question “When you attend Church, where do you attend?” If they don’t attend, invite them to your church. We are planning Easter Egg Hunts for two different age groups in the morning from 9:30 to 10:30.
Pack the pews for this glorious day when our Lord rolled back the stone. Allow God to change lives by inviting those who don’t know him to the place where he is. Don’t be a frozen follower. Come alive, and get busy.
By James Gann
Pastor Faith Pointe Baptist Church
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