TWO HEARINGS: THE SECRET TO MAINTAIN AND DEVELOP YOUR CHURCH
Ptr. Luis R. Astudillo
INTRODUCTION
A. The administration of the church today is a great challenge. Achieving growth and
development is a challenge every day capital. However, there are truths and principles
that underlie the superficiality that a pastor who ministers the church must know and
implement.
B. There are two challenges in the administration of the church that will determine
your ministerial success, at any administrative level it is: to maintain and develop.
You are at the head of a denominational institution, whether health, educational,
ecclesiastical or of some other nature, the goal is the same: to maintain and develop.
TALK EVERY SATURDAY AT TWO HEARINGS
A. Here lies a valuable secret that the minister must be clear in order to maintain and
develop the church: you have two different types of audiences that listen to you on
Saturday. And with each audience you will look for each of the two goals: maintain
and grow. How? Simple. Preach every Saturday to two audiences: the church member
and the friends who visit the church. By the way, I suggest changing the ‘awkward’
name of de visits ”to“ friends ”or“ guests ”. Since everyone likes to feel that he is
among "friends" and that he did not arrive but was "invited" even by the Holy Spirit
when, he is not a guest of a particular brother.
B. Take into account that its members, stimulated, well cared for and fed, by the grace
of God will contribute to 'maintain' the church and that the friends or guests who
frequent the church, which are brought by the brothers of the church and even
sometimes that appear without direct invitation from a member, they are the ones that
will show and encourage their 'growth'.
C. When you, as a pastor and especially as a preacher, become more aware of that
reality and intentionally develop strategies for those two directions, then and only
then, by the grace of God, will you be able to maintain and develop your church.
ARE YOU PREACHING THE TWO HEARINGS?
Verify it through this checklist or check list. When you start preparing the next
sermon, ask yourself these twelve questions.
1. Am I taking into account the friends who will attend church this Saturday?
2. Am I making applications to a life without Christ?
3. Am I applying the message to the needs of people who have not yet accepted Christ?
4. Am I aiming to meet the needs of a life without Christ?
5. Am I approaching those who have years of faith in the right way?
6. Is there something "new" that those who, for years, love and serve the Lord will be
learning?
7. Will this theme help so that old members can ‘rise’ spirit level?
8. Have I prayed for myself, the church and non-believers who will hear the sermon?
9. What are the ideas, presuppositions or doctrines that most unsaved people who will
hear me already hold (whether they are aware or not), and that should logically lead
them to believe the sermon message?
10. Can I explain how the text of the sermon speaks in concrete ways to believers and
non-believers?
11. Have I formed my sermon to be easy for both audiences to understand?
12. Finally, have I examined the response the congregation will have on this issue?
What will they find difficult, what could they misunderstand? What kind of response
do I expect and in what way do I want them to express it?
Oh, and you might also ask yourself: Have I pruned my sermon to be a coherent
message, with a biblical content and central Christ, without distractions from that
message and purpose?
Today, many companies know that it is not only important to have the right product
but to present it in the right way to get their attention and commitment. In other
words, "You may have a fantastic product for the market, but if you show it to the
wrong audience, you will never generate enough interest." How important it will be to
know if your church is generating enough confidence and particularly you to preach.
Sometimes people feel they are going to a church where there is ‘something’ hidden.
Be open and frank with people. There are aspects such as finances, which some
people feel they can “get” a lot of money from becoming a member of that
congregation.
In the commercial field, it is claimed that 70% of consumers do not complete an online
purchase due to lack of trust. People may want what you offer, but if you don't show
the confidence they need, they won't convert. This is fundamental in the experience of
reaching other people in the faith. So every Saturday, a “Saturday of visits”.
TRY THIS ... and SURPRISE
A. There is a secret tool, for many pastors, that generate a very positive impact on new
believers and friends who are approaching the church: The testimonies. I heard a
friend who visited the church giving his testimony, pointing out how happy he was to
attend the Adventist church in that town. It was really impressive, that Saturday there
were several invited friends. Very excited he said that although his wife could not
come, he had brought the three children because; not just a place for them; but the
special attention they give to them. While listening to this testimony, my amen was
confused with the various amens of letting hear in the congregation.
B. How good it would be for you to take the experience or ask the friendly family, to
greet you on your way out, to tell in public what you said. (About how happy he feels
about what he has found in the church not only for them as parents but for their
children, school and clubs, for example). Imagine that you are coming to church for
the first time and listen to this testimony, I would encourage you to continue attending
that church, right? It is vital to understand that comprehensive and segmented care is
the goal of a healthy church.
C. Remember that when a person comes to church for the first time, it is
recommended: "Contact the receptors no later than 72 hours after the first visit to the
church and integrate them into a special class." You must be part of a special class
and be encouraged by three contacts: a phone call within 24 hours, within the week; A
visit by a pastor and a group of lay people. With this method, 90% attend classes;
When an additional week is delayed after the initial contact, 50% of the visitors attend
the class, if a month elapses, only 10% do so.
IT IS ESSENTIAL TO INCLUDE THIS EVERY SATURDAY.
The call for the sermon is like closing in a sale. In fact, this is one of the areas where
most lay preachers feel they need to improve. Because of its setting, we must
intentionally elaborate the invitations we hope to make and the responses we wish
that the two different audiences will express.
At the conclusion of the sermons it is essential to make calls to the two audiences
every Saturday.
FOR THE BROTHERS.
These invitations will be aimed at consecration (study, pray and testify), participation
in a ministry, give biblical studies. Have the names of missionary couples and small
group leaders to name them as part of the follow-up you should be doing frequently.
To return a faithful tithe and a generous offering, etc.
FOR FRIENDS OR GUESTS.
A call for prayer for your needs, a call to study the Bible, to prepare for your baptism,
or to be baptized at the next opportunity. (Take the names to follow up). You can have
a special card for this purpose. Ask the deaconesses to promptly and effectively take
the names of these people's phone numbers. When making calls for guests, consider
two vital elements. These will make possible the growth of these future friends to
members.
1. Have Bible studies at hand, every Saturday. Remember the key factor is
intentionality, therefore when inviting you to study the Bible through biblical studies,
have Christ-centered studies, preferably non-doctrinal short, at hand. People are
generally not interested in the doctrines of a church but God's plan for their lives. For
that reason we must first give them to know Christ and then the doctrines. Mention
for example that they will begin with the basic Bible study. I recommend using the
Bible study ‘Faith IN Jesus’. Which consists of only six lessons and concludes with the
acceptance of Christ as a personal Savior. If you want a copy you can write to
astudillolaz@gmail.com. In less than two months the person could participate in a
special graduation program, which is highly motivated. Let us follow the prophet's
advice when he says "you must not believe that it is your duty to introduce arguments
on the question of the Sabbath when you meet people. If people mention the subject,
tell them that this is not your concern now, but when they give their hearts, minds
and wills to God, they are then prepared without prejudice to weigh the evidence
regarding these solemn truths that constitute a touchstone. . ”He will“ take advantage
of his opportunities to lead people to Christ in the best way, not spreading in doctrinal
matters, but about the love of God, about his mercy and goodness of the plan of
salvation… The great need of man is to know God and Jesus Christ, whom he has
sent. ”He can also have varied Bible courses such as family, health or prophetic.
2. Commit publicly to the people who can give the studies. After you leave the Bible
studies to friends, now ask in public, who could help you give the Bible study. This is
fundamental and in doing so you develop any evangelistic campaign.
3. Finally, every Saturday also make SPECIAL CALLS to each of the TWO HEARINGS!
SUGGESTIONS IN THE TREATMENT TO FRIENDS VISITING THE CHURCH
1. The welcome process should begin for visitors since they park in the parking lot.
Going to church can be an intimidating experience for many, so make sure that the
people who visit you for the first time feel as welcome as possible. For this reason, it is
common for churches to have designated persons to welcome located in the parking
lot to ensure that new visitors have an idea of where to go and do not feel scared
before entering the building.
2. Introduce yourself. Let's say hello by name and introduce yourself to other church
members, especially those who you know will be friendly and who are related in age,
children's age, etc. Do not pressure visitors to introduce themselves and make the first
contact. Visitors must feel comfortable in order to relax and sit down. Free visitors
from the pressure by introducing yourself and your family and it is normal for them to
indicate their names without asking. Treat visitors as people and not as "visitors."
Nobody likes to go to a place looking to be welcomed and instead make them feel out
of place or in a separate category. Ask them things and learn about them to make
them feel welcome.
3. Show them around. Most people who visit a church for the first time are not
interested in deep questions of doctrine and the content of the sermons, but are
looking for a place to park and sit and listen. They just want to feel welcome. Take
things easy and focus on helping visitors to feel comfortable and make the experience
bearable and stress free. Make sure visitors know where they can quickly get a bath or
water. Get a flyer that describes the job of the day and make your questions available.
4. Organize a quick tour around the building, if time permits. Show visitors the room
in which the trade will be held and any other attractive area, if they seem interested. A
little background story about the congregation can be interesting for visitors.
5. Recognize when to give them space. Each person is different and some visitors may
just want to enjoy the sermon and leave them alone. If you enjoy the experience, they
will return and you will have the opportunity to get to know them better later. Do not
assume that people who seem distant and silent are disgusted or uncomfortable, they
may just want to quietly sneak into the trade. Recognize visitors who have these
trends and give them space. Come closer and introduce yourself, so that they know
your name in case they want to ask something and learn more.
6. Make the experience memorable, with:
a. With genuine conversations.
b. Helping visitors connect with people.
c. Inviting new visitors to sit with you.
d. Inviting visitors to church programs and special events.
e. Tracking Send them a short note expressing how much you enjoyed meeting them.
It can be a fantastic way to invite them back to church.
