I will be focusing on the question asked rather than any country it is been centered around but the country in mind is Nigeria!
So after packing out the entire stadium or event centre for your cell outreach or whatever it is.
What happens to that Crowd?
I'm going to try be straight here. It stems down to one's character/mentality.
It's not about keeping up a reputation, it's about outdoing your past and yourself for the greater good.
So now have you asked yourself what happens to these souls after you invite these individuals for your outreaches or conferences? Ask yourself this question because you have been lost before.
So these CROWDS are still referred to as CROWDS because of the missing link in most of the evangelical events done mostly in Nigeria.
Are you a pastor and leader who is just about "lets just pack out the place" because your senior pastor said so? And at the end of the day you have no idea what's going on with these folks.
Most times when crusades are held, some people tend to focus on what's required and needed for that particular event but tend to forget the after math is what matters.
How do we treat these people that attended the crusade?
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Are we still in contact with them to check on their well being or are we just gonna leave them?
All the questions above need to be taken into consideration especially when it comes to change.
When people attend such big meetings, they expect a follow up after which we tend to forget most times. Now I understand it may not necessarily be easy to keep up with each and every person that attended, but I think measures should be put in place to check on or better still keep up with certain people's well being. That way they'll feel loved and maybe have the reason to return.
I think leaders in these crusades should step up their game and do what is expected of them. They are leaders for the people and not for themselves.
You can't really blame it on the Pastors or the people holding the events, but the leadership in position for that particular event especially those in follow up groups.
ARE AWARDS GIVEN BEING ABUSED?
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I believe the reason why some Men of God put in awards and all the likes is to stimulate PRODUCTIVITY and not to create tension and "I have to beat this other church or pastor" mindset.
Some do this things because of the praise and awards and so called eye service.
None of them have taught about the reward, the Glory and the honour.
After all it's not about the awards and the numbers, it's the condition of your heart.
We have to stop being bothered by the "competition" mindset.
That's why we got to stand up!!wake up!!! And Chin up!!!!
Ask yourself this question;
Is the king of kings pleased by my doings?
How many souls am i making an impact in their lives?
Only a few are not interested in the awards given by man because they've refused to make it their focus.
If you have what it takes to sponsor someone, do it because it's not just enough to preach "Jesus loves you" without showing it.
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Your awards are not your gate way to heaven but your deeds that came from the heart and remember that God sees your heart and not your awards.
The souls won, is it geared towards the award or for the purpose of the soul being saved? It's only in your heart that you'll see why you do what you do.
Although, I don't think it's wrong though to be challenged by an award and say "I want to get that award next year" but I would want to believe that while working towards that, in the process, one sees the real essence of why we do what we do, the greater purpose and whether you get it or not, you're beyond content, because you've ran the race.
I read a story of a Lady in a certain church.
There was a case in a church of a lady who did a particular outreach, more like an empowerment, but during the awards, they stated what she did as part of what someone else did.
She was so upset, because it wasn't fair. The one who got the award did just 1 outreach that wasn't big, but there were like 10 things they said she did, which wasn't true.
All these honestly shouldn't be. There should be a godly mindset while doing these things because we doing it for God! Not for man, or the awards.
Stay in your lane,run your race
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There's always going to be a story, something going on, side talks within ourselves that'll make us question orders when given, even people leading us, higher authorities but it's all distractions.
That's how some get offended and stop the work. Nothing should make us stop the work, even though most times you'd hear things that'd make you question your salvation, but we just got to do what God says and be strong in faith!
That's what some of us have told ourselves but remember that if you see something wrong and do not address it, its going to be between you and God at the end of the day!
The issue of judge not, judge not is gradually destroying the church. I'm not saying walk up to your pastor or leader and say your mind, No! but listen if you are or find yourself in a position to get things done the right way you better do so.
You going to be accountable to God, so it's high time the church stopped being used by the uncircumcised philistines as a caricature.
You are trying to win a soul and what the soul keeps saying is how much the church doesn't care, how much people in church use 'spirituality' to do absurd things and then you wonder what then are we preaching.
Yes people will talk but listen, if what they say is true, then you better watch it.
So Where are the Crowds?
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The truth to this question, I think they are all here, around us, everywhere, probably lost, or went back to their normal lives, or some just didn't see the way (probably came to have fun and flex their wardrobes),or some haven't gotten a hold of the word yet, or some maybe are just lost in the middle of nowhere cos they don't know where to start, or what to do, but ask yourself this question;
- How come I got saved?
- How come I am committed and serving in ministry?
- How come I love God the way you do?
Answer
Because someone gave you reasons to see things in that light.
The Greater Truth To This; FOLLOW-UP
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People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care!
I think the real deal for Evangelical outreaches or events is the aftermath solutions which is the Follow Up
Without follows ups, evangelism ain't complete. So if all we doing isn't t giving someone the reason to love Jesus, isnt telling about his goodness and the fact that he died for us then we've got to retrace our steps.
Lets all go back to the drawing board😊
So if follows ups are planned and funded at least 80% in the way evangelical events are; these CROWDS will be few people I believe.
Another truth is that it's just a part of our today's world and media, people give you what they want you to see, some of those numbers are obviously not real, They blow them beyond proportion.
Some others are real, but because most times we do what we do to impress people with numbers, we leave out the important part of the whole matter which is retaining those souls
My Pastor said until a soul starts doing the things you do in church, they are not fully won yet. ~Pastor Chris!