Yesterday, I had the opportunity to go to Laurens with some other pastors to spend some time with a pastor from Atlanta who shared the following insight from Reggie McNeal that used to work in leadership with our State Convention. He said that Reggie had told him that our churches had reached everyone that looks like us, talks like us and acts like us and everyone that was willing to change so that they could look, talk and act like us. And the reason that so many churches are beginning to struggle, is because they are not willing to get out of their comfort zones to reach the people that are different.
On my ride back from Laurens I could not help but to think about the fact that on any given Sunday, statistics tell us that about 22% of South Carolinians are in church. That means that the other 78% are still in bed, cutting grass or on their way to beating the local baptist to the best restaurants. 78% of our neighbors are not coming or going to church anywhere! That means that you and I can’t help but to cross paths with some of these folks at some time or another, but because they do not look, talk or act like us, we fail to even give them a glance!
If we know and really believe that Jesus loves us, then we must love Him back – we can’t help but to love Him back! And if we are really loving Him back, then we must love others – all others – the ones that look like us and the ones that do not!
Who are you reaching? Who are you showing love to and sharing love with? It is not our job to get people into Heaven. It is our job to love people – just as Jesus first loved us. Who are you reaching? Stop right now and think about it – who have you shown and shared love with this week, month, year? If each one of us 22% that are in church on any given Sunday were busy on the other days of the week loving as Jesus loved – then the percentages would change and I believe they would change big time!
We are always looking for someone to blame! But, before you are so quick to place blame – take a look in the mirror and answer this question honestly = Who Are You Reaching?
Michael Joe Harvell 
tell me how to get them to church? I try every week to get my other 2 partners to come to church. I got them there for the first night of class and they haven’t been back.. It’s not like they aren’t believers. We start our days with prayers and when and if we get the chance to eat lunch together, I am always the one blessing our food. I pray everyday that I can get them to see how much I love our Lord God and still on Sundays I wait. Help!!!! love and prayers, jerilynn
Don’t give up – keep on loving them! They are good people and they have reall needs just like you and me. Somewhere in each one of us is a desire to have our needs met. As God meets your needs though the minitry of His Church – you work to meet other people’s needs through the ministry of your love! You may be planting seeds right now, stick with it and God will give increase, growth and blessing!
not giving up. Continue to talk about the class and how I am learning and so excited about everything that I am learning. But more so, my relationship with God is growing and I find that I can handle personal things so much better!!! Keep praying for me and my partners. G3 love and prayers, jerilynn
p.s. If anyone knows me, loving people is so easy for me. Thats what I do, love everyone.