Unfortunately, if you preached this lesson at too many congregations, you would be called in and admonished to never preach like this again at minimum, and at maximum, you would be fired on the spot. As a former personal evangelist at three different congregations working alongside pulpit preachers, I know what you are writing here is true. When spiritual elders encourage true evangelism, the gospel is shared, and more members will be willing to be involved personally. When leaders are not interested in evangelism the church stops doing what we are commissioned to do. Leaders are to equip the members for evangelism and have a courageous vision to carry out the Lord's will. The church should be a light in an ever-growing dark and evil time in America. Taking stand on moral issues even when the corrupt government tells us not to do so, shines a light that many decent yet lost people will be drawn to. Standing for truth draws people to the source of truth. The false teaching churches in California that refused to bow to the corrupt government during COVID-19 and that publicly stood against gay marriage and abortion grew tremendously. Some of my extended family members who were not attending church were so impressed they went and joined these courageous false-teaching churches. I still fear for their souls. Not one church of Christ in the area stood up to the demands of the God-hating government out of fear and because it would hurt our influence. Where I am the church closed completely because a secular Jew homosexual governor married to a much younger man told them to do so. Interestingly he said all of the Marijuana and liquor stores could remain open. We need spiritual warrior leaders to lead the church into spiritual battles that shine a light on those seeking truth. Thank you for your courage Jack.
Unfortunately, if you preached this lesson at too many congregations, you would be called in and admonished to never preach like this again at minimum, and at maximum, you would be fired on the spot. As a former personal evangelist at three different congregations working alongside pulpit preachers, I know what you are writing here is true. When spiritual elders encourage true evangelism, the gospel is shared, and more members will be willing to be involved personally. When leaders are not interested in evangelism the church stops doing what we are commissioned to do. Leaders are to equip the members for evangelism and have a courageous vision to carry out the Lord's will. The church should be a light in an ever-growing dark and evil time in America. Taking stand on moral issues even when the corrupt government tells us not to do so, shines a light that many decent yet lost people will be drawn to. Standing for truth draws people to the source of truth. The false teaching churches in California that refused to bow to the corrupt government during COVID-19 and that publicly stood against gay marriage and abortion grew tremendously. Some of my extended family members who were not attending church were so impressed they went and joined these courageous false-teaching churches. I still fear for their souls. Not one church of Christ in the area stood up to the demands of the God-hating government out of fear and because it would hurt our influence. Where I am the church closed completely because a secular Jew homosexual governor married to a much younger man told them to do so. Interestingly he said all of the Marijuana and liquor stores could remain open. We need spiritual warrior leaders to lead the church into spiritual battles that shine a light on those seeking truth. Thank you for your courage Jack.
Agreed on all points, good thoughts