The Shrinking Church

A recent magazine article, entitled The Shrinking Church, asks the questions, Where is everybody going? What can we do about it? In this week’s message, we will talk about some reasons why some of our congregations are dying, and what Jesus tells us we can do about the problem.


Scripture: John 4:33-38
So the disciples said to one another, “Surely no one has brought him something to eat?”

Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more, then comes the harvest’? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”


Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon What Makes a Church Grow delivered on Christian Crusaders January 21, 2007.

The primary way that God builds his Church is to have the believer share his or her faith with someone else. Is your church growing? We are not talking about a number game. We are talking about winning the unbeliever for Christ. Are those in your congregation who personally know Jesus inviting others to Christ on a regular basis? If they are, your congregation is growing. If it is not growing, you have learned the reason from the Bible.


About Christian Crusaders
Christian Crusaders publishes a quarterly newsletter called the Crusader. The theme of the upcoming issue about to be published is Contentment.

The Crusader is sent free of charge to all friends of the ministry who desire to learn more about the ministry and receive spiritual inspiration. If you are not currently receiving this mailing and would like to, contact our office at cc@naz.org. You may also call the office toll-free at 1-888 My Faith (1-888-693-2484).'


On the Light Side
A minister was walking down the sidewalk when he came upon a group of about a dozen boys, all of them between 10 and 12 years of age. The group had surrounded a dog. Concerned the boys were hurting the dog, he went over and asked "What are you doing with that dog?"

One of the boys replied, "This dog is just an old neighborhood stray. We all want him, but only one of us can take him home. So we’ve decided that whoever can tell the biggest lie will get to keep the dog."

Of course, the minister was taken aback. "You boys shouldn't be having a contest telling lies!" he exclaimed. He then launched into a ten minute sermon against lying, beginning with, “Don’t you boys know it's a sin to lie,” and ending with, “Why, when I was your age, I never told a lie.”

There was dead silence for about a minute. Just as the minster was beginning to think he’d gotten through to them, the smallest boy gave a deep sigh and said, “All right, give the reverend the dog.”