Nearly a year ago we concluded our series through the book of Jonah by writing on the wall of our auditorium. Remember? In the last chapter of this book we saw that this prodigal prophet was more concerned about a plant than he was the souls of the thousands of people that lived in the city of Nineveh. That is so like the church today. We are more concerned about our church traditions than we are lost people. We are more concerned about our bylaws and credentials than we are lost people. And in many cases, we are more concerned about our church buildings than we are lost people.
In order to try to “cement” home the fact that lost people must be more important to us than our “sacred cows,” on that morning we actually took time to use permanent black markers and write on the wall of our auditorium the names of lost people that we need to pray for and build bridges to for Christ. Over 3,000 names were written on the wall. Many pastors who have heard of what we did have contacted me saying, “Whew, I would have gotten fired if I would have suggested we write on the walls of our auditorium.” Yet, for Grace Church, this wall became a special part of who we are. We have seen people saved and baptized whose names were written on that wall. I never tired of seeing our people walk over to that wall and put their hand on the name of a friend or loved one and pray for their salvation. We even have had people bring their own marker to church with them to add to the wall another name of a lost person.
But now, the wall has been repainted as our auditorium gets a much needed “facelift” and the names are gone. It is really kind of cool that we didn’t have anyone get upset when we first wrote the names on the wall but since repainting over these names there have been many who have expressed sadness. It is so exciting to be part of our church that is seriously concerned about lost people. Keep a few things in mind:
1. The wall of names was meant to be temporary until the auditorium got remodeled. We are excited about the remodeling that is taking place as it is going to enhance every aspect of our overall ministry here at Grace Church.
2. It is more important that these names get impressed on our hearts rather than just put on a wall. When the names of these lost people are in our hearts we will pray for them daily, build bridges to them regularly and partner with the ministry of Grace Church to get them under the sound of the Gospel.
3. We will now be able to find a fresh way to keep these names in front of us as a church. As a Worship Design Team we will be praying about and looking for ways to keep lost people as an important focus of our ministry here at Grace. The bottom line is simple…God cares about lost people…We should too! The names may not be on the wall anymore but they are still in the mind and heart of God. Let’s be sure that we keep them in our hearts and minds as well. May God continue to use us to meet people where they are and help move them to where He wants them to be!
In order to try to “cement” home the fact that lost people must be more important to us than our “sacred cows,” on that morning we actually took time to use permanent black markers and write on the wall of our auditorium the names of lost people that we need to pray for and build bridges to for Christ. Over 3,000 names were written on the wall. Many pastors who have heard of what we did have contacted me saying, “Whew, I would have gotten fired if I would have suggested we write on the walls of our auditorium.” Yet, for Grace Church, this wall became a special part of who we are. We have seen people saved and baptized whose names were written on that wall. I never tired of seeing our people walk over to that wall and put their hand on the name of a friend or loved one and pray for their salvation. We even have had people bring their own marker to church with them to add to the wall another name of a lost person.
But now, the wall has been repainted as our auditorium gets a much needed “facelift” and the names are gone. It is really kind of cool that we didn’t have anyone get upset when we first wrote the names on the wall but since repainting over these names there have been many who have expressed sadness. It is so exciting to be part of our church that is seriously concerned about lost people. Keep a few things in mind:
1. The wall of names was meant to be temporary until the auditorium got remodeled. We are excited about the remodeling that is taking place as it is going to enhance every aspect of our overall ministry here at Grace Church.
2. It is more important that these names get impressed on our hearts rather than just put on a wall. When the names of these lost people are in our hearts we will pray for them daily, build bridges to them regularly and partner with the ministry of Grace Church to get them under the sound of the Gospel.
3. We will now be able to find a fresh way to keep these names in front of us as a church. As a Worship Design Team we will be praying about and looking for ways to keep lost people as an important focus of our ministry here at Grace. The bottom line is simple…God cares about lost people…We should too! The names may not be on the wall anymore but they are still in the mind and heart of God. Let’s be sure that we keep them in our hearts and minds as well. May God continue to use us to meet people where they are and help move them to where He wants them to be!
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