Many members say that they desire the growth of the local church. Many say that they desire many visitors at the annual Gospel Meeting.
However, are we doing what it takes for these things to happen? Desire without action will not produce the desired results. A man may want a harvest. However, he must first sow seed. Uncultivated, unplanted land will not produce the desired harvest (cf. Mark 4:3-9, 14-20, 26-29).
Here are some questions we each should consider. A= 5 points; B=3 points; C=1 point. Yes, the questions and assigned point value are arbitrary. However, perhaps, this will cause us to think about our efforts.
Friendliness/Hospitality
_____ 1. I greet each visitor and try to get to know them.
A. Almost Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
_____ 2. I invite our visitors to lunch.
A. Almost Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
_____ 3. I invite new members to my house (or out to eat).
A. Almost Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
_____ 4. I have had _________ member into my house (or out to eat) this past year.
A. Five or More
B. Two to Four
C. None or One
_____ 5. I have visited _________ member this year.
A. Five or More
B. Two to Four
C. None or One
Participation/Attendance/Edification
_____ 6. I attend…
A. Almost every time the church meets for Bible class and worship
B. Almost every Sunday for worship
C. Less frequently
_____ 7. I usually attend our Gospel Meetings for…
A. All Lessons
B. At Least One Lesson
C. None
_____ 8. I participate in, or host church activities such as family fun night, youth activities, etc….
A. Almost Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
_____ 9. I check on those who miss assembling with us on the Lord’s Day.
A. Usually, if I do not know where they were
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or Never
Bible/Prayer/Growth
_____ 10. I read the Bible…
A. Almost daily
B. Weekly (Bible class and worship not included)
C. Less Frequently
_____ 11. My family has home Bible study or family devotionals
A. Weekly
B. At least once per month
C. Less frequently
_____ 12. I pray…
A. Several times a day
B. Daily
C. Rarely
_____ 13. I read the church bulletin…
A. Almost each week
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely or never
_____ 14. I read, watch or listen to _________ brotherhood magazines, blogs, or podcasts each month.
A. Three or more
B. At least one
C. None
_____ 15. I seek to make my decisions based on what the Bible says.
A. Almost Always
B. Sometimes
C. Rarely
_____ 16. I am…
A. Growing in the likeness of Christ
B. Stable, not growing or stagnant
C. Spiritually declining
Evangelism
_____ 17. I invited _________ to attend our Gospel Meeting.
A. Three or more
B. At least one
C. None
_____ 18. I have invited _____ family members, neighbors, coworkers, classmates, or friends to attend
worship with me this past year.
A. Three or more
B. At least one
C. None
_____ 19. My neighbors, coworkers or classmates would say of me…
A. He is a Christian, a member of the Church of Christ
B. He is some sort of Christian, a member of some church
C. I am not sure if he is a Christian, or if he attend any church
_____ 20. I have conducted Bible studies (personal evangelism) with ______ people this past year
A. Three or more
B. At least one
C. None
This coming year, let us determine to rack up more A’s!
Bryan Hodge 