I’ve been around church long enough now to remember some things that worked well at one point, but that lost their glamour over time. Some still exist, but often in weaker forms than in the past. I’m not arguing that any of these things must come back in the same form we once used, but I do think it’s worth our time to consider bringing back these strategies in a strengthened form:
- Bus ministry. I know we don’t drive busses around anymore to pick up kids for church, but I also know that there are kids who would come if somebody would give them a ride. I think there’s a place for a “transportation ministry” still. By the way, I’m one of those kids who rode the bus to church each week.
- Bible drill. Our children need to know the Word of God, and we need to train them to memorize it and know it when they’re young. If nothing else, Bible drill gave us a strategy to get there.
- Good hymns. I don’t mean bad hymns, or even good hymns done poorly. I mean theologically rich, singable, well-done hymns of our faith.
- Discipleship training. More and more churches are adopting strong discipleship strategies now, and that’s a huge plus for the kingdom. Too many churches still, though, assume people will become disciples just by showing up at church.
- Children’s sermons. Frankly, I never liked doing children’s sermons when I served as pastor, but I admit that they forced me to communicate the gospel in a clear, simple way. I was a better preacher to adults because of this task.
- Evangelistic Bible studies. Often held in homes, but sometimes offered in regular small groups, these short-term Bible studies intentionally led non-believers to the gospel. Participation demanded that believers invite their non-believing friends to attend.
- Preschool and children’s missions training. Most often, I now see this kind of training (if it’s offered at all) as only an “add on” to some other regular event. We miss the opportunity to raise up missionaries when we wait too long to introduce them to a lost world and to God’s calling.
- Testimony time. We don’t need to just hand a microphone to anybody, but we do need to hear one another’s stories of grace and salvation. Because of electronic media, we have no reason not to record and share testimonies regularly.
What do you think? Let me hear from you.
Love the Bible drill idea. So many kids only use an app that they cannot locate scripture in an actual Bible. I am going to add it back into the class I teach!
Blessings, Todd!
Chuck, I didn’t know they’d gone away. They certainly have not in my neck of the woods.
Good to hear. Thanks!
I agree. There are practices from the past that still work and work well. We spend too much time worrying about what we shouldn’t do rather than trying to find out what really works. All It takes Is one or two negative blogs and we jump on board slashing things that really work. Instead, we need to look at what needs to be tweaked in order to make them effective again. Most failures occur because of poor leadership and lack of excellence, not because old ideas don’t work any longer. We need to resurrect some of the old techniques, do them with excellence, and we will be surprised.
Thanks, Alan, for your thoughts.
I think you are living in the past. Most of what you say would still be in use if they still worked. Every generation does church differently. It’s time to let this generation find its own way.
Appreciate your thoughts. I actually know a lot of young leaders who actually agree with me when they understand the principle behind these ideas.
Testimony time in our evening services was one of my favorite and effective things at former church.
Thanks, Darrell.
I’m with you all the way but would like to expand on one item. When it comes to signing hymns, crank down the volume on those guitars, organs and the lead singer’s microphone. Also bring by hymnals and teach people what those little notes on the pages mean.
Thanks, Ted.
Being a Bus kid and former Bus Captain, I agree we need to go get them.
Thanks, Tim.