Are You Up to the Challenge?

Mission: Impossible

That's an apt description of the difficulty of getting people to read religious literature. I know that it's not that folks aren't interested. At least not always.

After all, you have a busy life. There are lots of demands for your time. I mean MCI, AT&T and Sprint called you all in one night. One telemarketing sales pitch is an ordeal--much less three.

Besides that, the kids are playing ball and spending the night with their friends. And you had to "pick up something" for dinner for the third night in a row.

And then there's the problem of conscience. It's that nagging feeling of "ought."

We know that we "ought" to go to church. And we've been "looking around" for awhile. For several months in fact we've been planning to get back in church. At least "for the kids' sake." They've gone a few times with the neighbors. But we need...and plan...to go as a family.

And so here's another flier...another tract...another invitation reminding us of what we already know we "ought" to do and of what we intend to do "someday." Another guilt trip.

See why I say--Mission Impossible? Tom Cruise never had it so bad. But if you've stuck with me this far, will you read a little further? I guarantee that despite all your busyness and feelings of "ought", neither you nor this brochure will self-destruct before you're finished.

The Challenge

DECIDE TO DO IT. Come visit our services this Sunday. I'm not trying to burden you with another commitment. Actually, being with us will help you relieve your conscience somewhat.

Furthermore, the answer to our busy schedule is to make room for what is really important and not just relegate God and family to our left-over time. Sunday is the Lord's Day. God deserves our full attention and affection on His day.

DETERMINE WHAT'S IMPORTANT. The lake? The TV? Overtime? Sleeping in? Grooming the yard? Washing the car? How long will the harvest of any or all of those endeavors last? Not long.

Sincere Bible study. Reverent worship. Fervent prayers. Practical preaching. What sort of profit will those activities yield? They'll fill your mind with virtuous thoughts. They'll stir your heart with noble sentiments. They'll prod your will to righteous conduct. They'll equip the sincere participant for eternity with God. That's value.

GET OVER YOUR WAIT PROBLEM. No more excuses. No more waiting. No more planning. No more x's and cross-outs and penciling on the calendar. Just come on. The only way that you'll find time, is to make time.

You'll feel better. You'll quiet your conscience. But don't just do it for your kids. Do it for yourself. You were made in God's image. And your life will be the happiest and most satisfying when your relationship with God is good. Are you up to the challenge?

Necessary Equipment

AN OPEN BIBLE--We'll refer to it many times in our Bible classes and worship. We don't apologize for that. We're not ashamed to say that we would be "lost" without our Bibles. It's the only way we know to find out what God expects of us. We won't presume to justify anything that we do on the basis of our own "think so." We try to rely on God's word alone for all that we teach and practice.

A CURIOUS MIND--We invite your questions/ Curiosity is the beginning place for all learning. You'll not offend us by inquiring about anything you hear or observe in our services. And we'll not embarass you or make you feel uncomfortable for asking. You may very well teach us something or expose an area that we need to investigate.

A PATIENT SPIRIT--You're apt to find that you disagree with us sometimes. Please don't go away bitter of fail to confront us with your disagreement. We express our beliefs with conviction, but we also try to be fair and kind. We firmly believe that Christians can be united on the teaching of the Bible. But we can't resolve our conflicts unless we are all patient enough to discuss our differences and to search the Bible together to find the truth. We're willing to try if you are.

A WILLING HEART--Without it, this mission is impossible. You'll always be too busy. You'll always say, "Maybe next week." And then one day, you'll no longer be interested. The feeling of "ought" will have worn off and you'll just get angry when we ask you to come to church with us. Please, don't let that happen.

Intelligence Info

CAUTION: The following intelligence data has surfaced. Watch our for these scenarios if you should accept this impossible mission:

FRIENDLY PEOPLE, donning warm smiles and cheerful greetings. They may have your best interests at heart.
CHILDREN'S CLASSES that take them through the Bible every three years. Were it not for four different adult classes (two on Wednesday and two on Sunday) the children might soon know more about the Bible than their parents.
PRACTICAL PREACHING that challenges, indicts and motivates. It might even persuade people to live more moral and godly lives. What is the world coming to?
SPIRITED SINGING. There is no piano or band. If you can imagine that. Please don't be suspicious of such unorthodoxy. It's not that we can't afford nor that we don't enjoy musical apparatus. But we assemble to worship God not to entertain ourselves. We simply can't find where God ever asked Christians to worship Him with instrumental music. Be He did say "sing" (Eph. 5:19).
BE ADVISED of the following schedule of services. These people apparently like being together. The lack of great discrepancy between Sunday and Wednesday crowds is evidence of the commonality.

Get Directions

SHOULD YOU in fact accept this mission, be prepared for a warm reception. See you soon?