Lackluster ministries

[damon1272]

As this subforum is pretty slow to dead I thought of speaking about one thing I struggle with is lack of involvement in ministries within the church. By default I have found myself running two ministries and it really pisses me off on the lack of investment by the church or others.

I speak of an open door ministry where we feed homeless and less fortunate once a quarter and a men’s ministry.

Neither is well attended by folks to volunteer to help. I understand the open door because who wants to really get involved with folks they would never get involved with outside of church?

Men’s ministry is even worse. I cut it back to once a month meetings because I couldn’t get much turn out on a bi-weekly basis. Organizing an even is hard because few turn out. Always been that way since before I took over.

Mind you I go to a small church and most of the men are 50 and above but what have you found to stoke interest or to get people interested at all?

[Kokopelli]

Does your church have a gun club? Guys like guns and women need to learn to shoot.

But more to your point, 2% of the people at any church do 90-95% of the work. Your pastor and your elders are responsible for inspiring the folks. Every believer should have three areas of involvement.

1. A ministry that they serve in.
2. A ministry that they lead.
3. A ministry that nourishes them spiritually and they are fed.

I'm like the apostle Andrew. People were hungry. Andrew found a kid with some bread and fish. He brought the kid to Jesus and Jesus did the rest. Find out people's talents, interests and abilities. They are the people that the Holy Spirit has provided for your church ministries.

Maybe not just people with fish and bread but everyone has a talent. Computer technology, artists, musicians, mechanics, cooks, child care, painters, carpenters, everyone has something. Church leadership must encourage the congregation to use their God given gifts for ministry.

The parable of the talents

God will use whatever people have for His kingdom and for His glory. He still asks, "What's in your hand?"

Exodus 4:2a The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

[psssniper]

What do the homeless and less fortunate do for food between your quarterly feedings? Just wondering

You may be suffering from gift displacement. That's when you feel led to a certain aspect of ministry and get upset because everyone doesn't feel like you do. Best thing to do is keep moving forward with what you feel God has led you to do. People will follow a leader. They are sheep after all.

[RAMCLAP]

Where are you located? I'll come help if it's a reasonable distance.

[damon1272]

Originally Posted by Kokopelli

Does your church have a gun club? Guys like guns and women need to learn to shoot"

Put together a shoot before and no one from the church showed. Even before I was pulled into the men’s ministry it had always been know for being lackluster. I have pretty much decideD that is all they want as a group and believers.

For me - the teaching part has done great things for me to develop as a Christian and deepen my faith.

As for the quarterly open door dinner, 13 churches participate and take a Monday each week so folks are being fed spiritually and physically. I can say this has been one of the most humbling experience for me.

Our church is small - 40 ish members and most very old. It holds that 2% do the work. Was wonder ing if others have found ways to inspire folks. I do understand this is a common problem, it frustrates me but also The only thing I would be willing to walk away from is the men’s ministry but I think the elders and pastor use it as a time to feed themselves.

[Wordupmybrotha]

Perhaps the ministry coordinator is boring or some of them had a bad experience with the ministry leader in the past. Perhaps, it's too much time commitment or too many meetings. Maybe there are too many ministries for the size of the congregation. Are there previous volunteers that you or someone else can ask to find out the blockers?

[Wordupmybrotha]

I feel bad for churches with an old demographic. We visited several churches looking for a large youth group for our kids. We decided not to stay because the youth group was small. Can't grow a congregation if families with kids don't stay.

[colossians323]

Originally Posted by damon1272

As this subforum is pretty slow to dead I thought of speaking about one thing I struggle with is lack of involvement in ministries within the church. By default I have found myself running two ministries and it really pisses me off on the lack of investment by the church or others.

I speak of an open door ministry where we feed homeless and less fortunate once a quarter and a men’s ministry.

Neither is well attended by folks to volunteer to help. I understand the open door because who wants to really get involved with folks they would never get involved with outside of church?

Men’s ministry is even worse. I cut it back to once a month meetings because I couldn’t get much turn out on a bi-weekly basis. Organizing an even is hard because few turn out. Always been that way since before I took over.

Mind you I go to a small church and most of the men are 50 and above but what have you found to stoke interest or to get people interested at all?

Luke 10:38-42
38 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who was also seated at the Lord’s feet, and was listening to His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do the serving by myself? Then tell her to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Brother, you and I sail in the same boat. The lack of the modern Christians involvement with serving their community is sad.
This has been a struggle for a long time and seems to get worse.
I believe that most people think they are "too busy"
The rewards of serving the LORD should outweigh any of the pitfalls of the harvest.
The workers are few and the harvest is plentiful. Nothing has changed from then to now. Keep on doing what you are doing by setting the example