Note: I was recently asked for the location of my past article on "The Most Important Message of the Church." Following is the original article with links to the updated e-book and video presentation of it. It constantly amazes me how many churches are not clear about what it means to be a Christian and how to become one. Please take time to read this and look at the video to be sure your church isn't missing out on THE most important thing.
What is the most important message of your church? Obviously the answer to that is that the message of Gospel--of forgiveness of sins and eternal life in Jesus.
But do people know that after visiting your church? Stop a minute and think about it. When people spend an hour with you did you share with them:
- great music?
- inspired preaching?
- information about activities for the family?
- special events invitations?
- small group or recovery ministry opportunities?
You probably did and these are all good things, but did you share the most important thing? Do they know that your church can help them find salvation in Jesus? Did you mention that at all in your sermon? Is it even hinted at in your bulletin? Or announcements?
I'm not writing this to make you feel guilty--but when I was recently collecting samples for an ebook, Gospel Presentations in Church Bulletins, I was surprised at how many (by far the majority) of both church bulletins and websites do not tell people how to get saved. Somehow the most important thing we are about gets lost in the announcements and events that fill the life of a church. Please don't think I'm saying that any of these activities in church or during the week are bad, but as the subtitle of the e-book says:
What does it profit a person to have clear directions to the potluck, but lose their own soul?