Hi
It is unfortunate that as leaders, we sometimes focus mainly on trying to entertain the congregation to keep their attention. This is usually done to attract new people to our church and to keep existing members from getting disinterested in our presentations.
From our email last week, you would have understood that engaging the imaginations and emotions of our audience is an excellent tool in every program. However, engaging emotions alone without solid spiritual food from the Bible will not bring the heart of the starving Christian sitting in the pews of your church closer to God. Our aim as church leaders is to glorify Jesus in all of our presentations.
Spiritual
This brings us to the second aspect of any great program: the spiritual impact! You should ask yourself, "how will each program contribute positively to the spirituality of each member of the congregation?"
At the end of each program, each individual should have learned at least one lesson that will improve their relationship with God. Colossians 3:16 encourages the church to ensure that the word of God is the foundation of all our programs, music, and presentations. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
The word of God is transformative and should not just be used as a related scripture reading. Scripture should frame the delivery of every presentation. The outcome of a spiritually centered program is measurable spiritual growth and religious edification.
It is important to note that if you are frequently reading the word of God for yourself, you will be far more effective at sharing the word of God with your fellow members. Your programs must first minister to you before you seek to minister to others.
You can have a congregation that is emotionally connected, and your programs are profoundly spiritual and bible-based. Yet, you are still missing the final component of a great program that will not only connect the congregation to you but to each other and ultimately to God.
Join us next week for the last but definitely not least important component of a Sabbath Program.
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