Focus Everything On Souls

I would hope that every congregation of God’s people would agree that their number one priority is to win souls to Jesus and help keep them growing closer to Him. You may choose different wording for that, but I would hope that would be what we are about.

But are we really doing that?

I’ve sat through a lot of meetings and conversations lately at Central where this has been talked about (thankfully). Obviously, for a congregation to run as efficiently as possible, there will be some matters that may seem mundane, like the condition of an air-conditioning unit or when some event needs to go on the calendar. We all understand that these things are just part of “congregational life.”

However, sometimes those things become all we talk about, and we only talk about them in those mundane ways.

Instead, we need to make sure that we connect every single work we do with souls. That needs to be our focus in every aspect of the work of the church.

For example,

• When we look at shabby classrooms with peeling paint from the 1970s, do we just see it as “okay enough,” or do we realize that we need to make them look as good as possible, not so we look good, but so a precious little soul can have a wonderful environment in which to learn about Jesus? (Also, it may help a visiting family feel more comfortable entrusting that little soul to your care than if the room looks like a dungeon!)
• When we talk about starting some event or program to reach out to the community–maybe in a benevolent way–are we doing so merely to “help the community,” or is our main goal to help souls see the love of Jesus and want to be drawn to Him?
• Look around your lobby. Are all the materials that are “take home” (tracts, bulletins, etc.) merely informational, or is there an emphasis on items that can be distributed to the lost and erring, and, then is it talked about regularly to encourage people to take and use those items?
• When we plan a fun or fellowship event, is it just to put something on the calendar, or is it there to build up and edify souls?
• Even when we talk about the mundane–parking lots and air conditioners and office supplies–are we connecting even those things with souls? When we talk of updating the parking lot, is it just because it “has to be done,” or is it so that more souls can have a welcoming place to easily park so they can move closer to the Lord?

I am thankful that a lot of our meetings and conversations at Central lately have been moving toward talking about our “core” work: saving and encouraging souls. Every single thing we do needs to have that as the mission.

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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn