[Luke 14:16-24 KJV] “Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: [17] And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. [18] And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. [19] And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. [20] And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. [21] So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. [22] And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. [23] And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. [24] For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper”.
It is a lot more easier to pastor without tears than we thought a few months ago. The minister of God is called to pastor the church for growth. We are called to both fill the house of God with souls, and to fill the souls with the God of the house. To effectively run the church for growth;
- Spend time praying and studying daily as a minister.
- Groom and dress well daily.
- Purpose and plan weekly mettings.
- Invite many to the meetings.
- Set up the meeting and the meeting place on time.
- Follow up those you have invited.
- Reach out to the halt and maimed.
- Start the meeting with prayer, then with worship and praise.
- Allow for special ministrations; whether it is a song, poetry, dance, or painting.
- Share a short, simple, biblical, relevant, and inspiring word with the brethren.
- Take offerings, give announcements, and close the meeting with our special hymn.
- Catch up, fellowship, and visit the shut ins, the sick, the oppressed, and the absentees.
These are the simple keys to run the services for growth. With these simple keys, you can pastor and grow a church if you can make available 20 hours a week for your faith and religion. Be blessed.
I love you!
Noah Simpe Bediako