Catching the Attention of the Crowds

Colossians 1:4

Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,

Paul said that he heard some things about this church at Colosse that caught his attention. Let's face it, every church is trying to do something to catch the attention of their city and of those who come and attend their church. Half of the battle of having a growing church is getting people to hear about your church. Now there are a lot of ways that we can get people to hear about our church; some can be good and some can be bad. However, we want the right things to be heard about our church that would cause people to at least visit our church. We know one thing: unless they step into our church for the first time, they will never become a part of our church. The first battle is to get them to come, and the second is to keep them coming. There are some things this verse shows us as to how we can catch the attention of people so we can at least get them to visit.

First, they need to hear of our faith. This is a twofold action. First, they need to hear about the great works that God is doing in our church, and secondly, they need to hear about the faith of Jesus Christ that our church holds to. If people don't hear about the great works going on in a church, they certainly won't want to come. Most people want to be part of something big; so, instead of talking about the negatives of your church to others, you would be wise to talk about the great works God is doing in your church. People will never know what God is doing in your church unless you tell them about it. When you talk about your church, make it positive and big so that people will want to come.

Moreover, nobody will hear about our faith unless we bring the Gospel to them. Every church must be a soul winning church if people are going to hear about what is going on in our church. Thousands of Gospel tracts must be handed out regularly for people to come. Nearly every week, someone visits my church because they had a Gospel tract placed on their door or they heard someone invite them to church. Soul winning not only will win the lost, but it will also advertise the church to the community.

Second, they need to hear about our love. Every church should be a place where every person is welcome to come. Love does not mean that we approve of sin; it means that we love them despite their sin and that they are welcome to attend our church. If we run the lost out the door before they ever come because of our hatred towards people, we cannot get them to come to hear the Gospel that can save their soul and change their lifestyle. Be sure your church is a loving and a friendly church, and word will spread that your church will is friendly and will accept all who come.

Third, they need to hear about our hope. People love being part of a church that has hope of a vision becoming a reality. Now, this is partly the pastor's responsibility to be sure his people know the vision he has for the church; however, it is also the people's responsibility to tell others of the great vision your church has. If you have no hope that a vision can become a reality, then you will never have people want to come to be a part of your church. I have people who have moved to my church from other states because they heard of my vision, and they want to be a part of it. Get a great vision, and never lose hope that it will become a reality; it will move people to want to come and be a part of your church that has a great vision of reaching their area for Christ.