Seriously, what is the best way to win the lost?

[Jethro Bodine]

Is it more effective to win the lost out there in the world, or bring them to church and try to win them?

Pat Robertson came into my living room via the TV and that's how I heard the gospel. So I'm kinda partial to that method and I think that's prolly the best way to reach people. My sister was witnessed to by a co-worker. My parents came to the Lord through a Billy Graham (television?) crusade as far as I know.

Seriously, what do you think works the best in this time we live in now?
Is it really a wise use of resources to devote a church completely to evangelism instead of growing up those who already believe and then sending them out to evangelize?

 

[reba]

I doubt there is a 'one size fits all " answer.... Being a witness is a good start... do our words match our lives?
2000 years ago walking around talking was the norm. What is the norm for today?

 

[JohnDB]

Telling about the good things God does and is and does for you personally without all the "church speak" that they will never understand to begin with.

 

[Nathan]

The 'best' way is any way.

I'd be curious how the whole 'bring them to church' thing got started. I guess around the time people started drawing a distinction between their life in Christ, and their life in the world.

Regardless, we should reach people where they are at. Its honestly a numbers thing. The more people telling others, the more people will hear.

My personal feeling set aside, and pure logic taking its place, consider this;

Instead of setting aside a 'day' of the week to get your members to bring in the outside world, while the other 6 days they live like the world. How about setting aside a 'day' of the week to equip your members to reach the outside world, 6 days out of the week.

Seems to me, that the 'one' person reaching X amount of people that one day of the week would pale in comparison to X amount of people reaching X amount of people 6x as much as that 'one' person.

 

[reba]

I'd be curious how the whole 'bring them to church' thing got started.

The church in Ephesus got jealous of the Cornith having more members so the pastor started a membership drive ... do you guys know anything ?

 

[Corn Pop]

There is no winner or losers.

 

[JohnDB]

Well the senior pastor gets a higher salary and fewer responsibilities (from hiring more staff) when the membership gets larger. Till all he does is show up Sunday to preach.
And makes a six figure salary for doing so.

 

[Corn Pop]

Well the senior pastor gets a higher salary and fewer responsibilities (from hiring more staff) when the membership gets larger. Till all he does is show up Sunday to preach.
And makes a six figure salary for doing so.

Im guessing every forth sunday for an hour on a seven figure salary for big established churches. They go away on church business.

 

[reba]

There were times my dad did not get paid ..

 

[Corn Pop]

A big church gets enough income to house its pastor and there family and pay the bills. Living expenses. They dont need big flash houses, luxury cars and salarys. Thats just a little bit greedy.

I dont think its greedy if a church covers the Pastors living expenses and puts a roof over them and there familys head, but when one church is struggling and another is rolling in flash benz's and overflowing in cash, its a bit crooked and doesn't set a good example to the world.

 

[Corn Pop]

Thats a sad thing when people think God gives the increase and pays them in cash and luxury living in exchange for the harvest of souls.

The more souls they offer at the alter, the offering of firstfruits to there god, the more cash there god gives them.

I dont think there intentions are bad, they just really believe its true. They think they deserve it for all the souls they have offered to there god.

 

[civilwarbuff]

It seems as if the 'Big Green Monster' is roving around on this thread. I haven't seen anyone complaining about THEMSELVES being overpaid.....

 

[Corn Pop]

It seems as if the 'Big Green Monster' is roving around on this thread. I haven't seen anyone complaining about THEMSELVES being overpaid.....

I would not feel guilty if it was my own business,or a income for general work, but i would probably feel guilty if i was on a six figure salary driving a mercedes benz and owned a big mansion all on spiritualy hungry peoples donations.

 

[civilwarbuff]

I would not feel guilty if it was my own business,or a income for general work, but i would probably feel guilty if i was on a six figure salary driving a mercedes benz and owned a big mansion all on peoples donations when those people who donate probably dont have all that much, well surely not a new benz and mansion and are on six figure salarys.

Any work out of work i do is charity.

Does your pastor live like that?

 

[Not_Now.Soon]

I think an open invitation to come to church with you is a good approach for thoss who have a hard time with those discussions. That and prayer for the people that they take up the offer someday. That said, I also like Nathan's idea of churches preparing it's people to spread the good news. We are ill prepared as a community to spread the good Word.

 

[jasonc]

It seems as if the 'Big Green Monster' is roving around on this thread. I haven't seen anyone complaining about THEMSELVES being overpaid.....

Often those thar complain have never been a pastor.

 

[jasonc]

I would not feel guilty if it was my own business,or a income for general work, but i would probably feel guilty if i was on a six figure salary driving a mercedes benz and owned a big mansion all on spiritualy hungry peoples donations.

Flipping this,how much poor could you house with the mansions I see.there is one that has 23 rooms,nearly as many bathrooms and only two people live there.

Not greedy if you own a business and its greed if it's a pastor?the condemnation against the love of money is not respective to how the money is earned.

 

[Corn Pop]

Often those thar complain have never been a pastor.

I guess it depends on the church. I dont think Joel is complaining. Hes loving it.

It would be interesting to know if big mega church Pastors ever speak to there members personally, or there more like a famous rocks star who goes back stage and sneaks out the back door dont want to deal with everyones problems. Genuine question, im interest to know. I wonder how many people acturally meet there pastor. I mean sure if they got 30,000 people they can't meet everyone, but do they still meet a few after service or just gap it.

 

[jasonc]

I guess it depends on the church. I dont think Joel is complaining. Hes loving it.
It would be interesting to know if big mega church Pastors ever speak to there members personally, or there like a famous rocks star who goes back stage and sneaks out the back door dont want to deal with everyones problems.

That's not what im.asking you.greed is greed .it's not possible for a pastor to speak to everyone

 

[Corn Pop]

Back to how to win the lost. I think scripture says no one come to Christ except the Father draws them, and Christ says he will draw all people.

In the end everyone will bow.