We had a print campaign, testimonies and videos. We went to each other’s houses and encouraged everyone to get involved.
The result was we wanted to change the atmosphere of expectation that people are responsible for the ministry of the church.
Part of the challenge was not just saying, “Hey, Jerry, you really need to do this.” We needed the tools and clear next steps.
So we said: “Jerry, we want you to do this, but we want to train you for this. We have a course we want you to go through, a series of three courses. Would you go through this one with us?” At first it was slow going, but over time people began to change.
How did it go?
Well, not everybody got on board. One person in our church came to me and said: “Ed, my wife and I don’t think we should have to go through these classes. We’ve been Christians our whole lives, and why do we have to do that?” I said, “I totally get that, but this is the way we do it here at our church.”
And I confessed: “Listen, I totally get that there’s no biblical command to go through these three courses, but our leadership and our church decided that this is the best way that God would have us to do things. So if this is your church, then this is what we think you should do.”
So, they promptly left the church—and soon, another left.
So, I’d encourage you to consider five truths about the tendency to being a customer of the church.
First, people naturally want to be objects of the ministry, not partners in it.
That’s why the Bible says, “Consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24, KJV).
Second, people want to see others serving while they are the one being served.
That’s why the Bible says, “Based on the gift EACH ONE has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10, HCSB).
Third, if you are a pastor, one of your most important roles is to equip people for ministry.
That’s why the Bible says God gave leaders “for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12, HCSB).
Fourth, it is not natural to be a giver.
It is natural to be a receiver. That is what we desire, but that selfishness is what the Bible speaks against. That’s why the Bible reminds us it is “more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
