It’s Up To Us

Kipp Campbell

Our meeting with Ken Weliever is almost upon us. This time next week we will have begun our week long efforts of reaching out to the lost in this special series of meetings. As we all know the theme for this meeting is Essentials For Salvation. We are presented with a tremendous opportunity to reach out to those who do not yet know the Lord. For most of us here these lessons will be on topics we all know pretty well. That’s not to say we can’t learn from them, but chances are, we won’t be taught anything new. So, in order for this to be a successful meeting we must take it upon ourselves to make it that way by inviting those we know and doing what we can to help make it a success. Here are some ways we can make this effort successful.

Have the right attitude. How are you looking at next week? Have you already started feeling the dread of “coming to church” every night next week? Or, do you, like me, see the potential that exists in the upcoming lessons? It’s amazing how excited we get when it’s something we really want to do e.g., go to a ballgame, vacation, move, etc. However, when it’s something we’d rather not get involved with we look upon it with disdain. This meeting will only be as successful as we make it and our attitude will determine out look. Recognize the opportunity that is before us all to teach or at least set the right example, for that one person we’ve been trying to reach.

Be here. Many meetings mail because a good number of congregation’s own members do not bother to show up. How can we impress upon people its importance if we don’t show up? I realize meetings take a lot out of people, but let’s be honest. Meetings only take place twice out of the year. Is it really too much to be asking for an hour of your time each night? It is indeed sad when there are more visitors on a given night (often from other congregations) than members. Again, what is our attitude toward this effort?

Invite people. We’ve set an unofficial goal of inviting two people each week to our weekly services. Now, I’m calling upon each member here at Clarksville to step up and invite more. The elders have helped us out in this area by supplying cards that can either be mailed or handed out to those we come in contact with. So there will be no need for us to carry on a lengthy conversation. Just simply hand a card to those we see. We can do it!

Be friendly to our visitors. Remember, visitors are looking to answer five questions when they come through the door. Let’s “Kill ‘em with kindness.” Put yourself in their shoes. How would you feel if you were visiting a place with people you’ve never met before? Set a good example before them all. Let them know we care and are glad they’re here.

Participate in the services. Let’s all remember the services start at 7:30 – in the evening! Be considerate of the visitors and members in attendance by doing our best to be here on time. When it comes time to sing, pray, or listen to bro. Weliever speak, show others how important the exercise is by participating wholeheartedly in the service. We will not get a second chance to make a first impression upon our visitors.

Pray for its success. As Christians know, prayer can be one of the most powerful forces we have in our possession today. Are we praying for the success of this meeting? Are we praying for bro. Weliever? The visitors we’ll have? Those who have forsaken the Lord or struggling in their service? The growth of everyone in attendance? Recognize that without the Lord and His involvement, not much will happen (I Cor. 3:6-7).

These are all ways we can help make this meeting a success. It’s now up to us as members of this congregation to do what we can, with our abilities, to exalt the Lord in this next week. May God bless you as you seek to bring the lost to the Lord and better yourself in your service to Him.