Missionary Statistical Report Form could help find new works

Over the years we have heard the report of thousands being saved every year in our associated ABA work. I am always excited about that! We are also told about how many thousands of sermons were preached and lessons given and how many were baptized. That's interesting and it makes good reporting.

But where is the information that will really tell us about the disciples that are being made? We have no idea about how many missions or churches were established as a result of the souls saved and baptized. Wouldn't this information be helpful for us to know? I have tried to gather research on how many new churches have been started in the last two years and it is very difficult to find out. We have learned of only four new works so far this year. Maybe someone out there can tell me about more that I don't know about. There is a way to gather that important information; it's called "The Missionary Statistical Report Form". Every missionary could simply tell us what we are trying so hard to find out.

By having this information we could know more accurately what our missionaries are achieving and how well we have been doing the Great Commission. It would be a simple addition to the statistical report form. Apparently it will take a vote of the messenger assembly to add these questions.

The Missionary Statistical Report Form does not have a place for this necessary information. Here are some questions that need to be included in that form:

1. List the number of new missions established under your ministry during this reporting period.
2. List the number of new churches organized under your ministry during this reporting period.

We could include two other questions that would actually give us much more accurate information about the status of church planting in our work. They would be:

1. List the number of missions that have closed their doors or disbanded.
2. List the number of churches that have closed their doors or disbanded.

Some feel the above questions are too negative and should not be included. My answer to this is, why shouldn't we want to know the whole truth of what is happening in our ABA missionary work, if it will help us to do better in the future? To my knowledge there is little or no statistical work being done among our churches or missions to ascertain the progress or development of our associated work other than some local associations scattered about.

If you are interested in having this information added to the Missionary Statistical Report Form please let me know.

David

Why Europe?

http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/edstetzer/2009/02/i3-paper-why-europe.html

Check out the above blog written by Ed Stetzer. Especially those of you who are in Europe doing ministry. It is very insightful.

There is a growing opportunity for serious ministry in Europe. There is still freedom by and large to do church planting. The climate is changing dramatically with nearly 25% Muslilm population throughout Europe. Those who are going or are already there need to look closely at bridging to these interesting people.

David

Fireproof Movie Event

Our "Fireproof" movie event turned out well. Although we did not have the kind of attendance we were hoping for, yet God brought those that needed to come (121 on a Sunday night).

One thing that has really been a blessing is watching our church rise to the occasion of such an outreach event. Everyone was ready for whatever God was going to do. Our greeters were ready, our Welcome Center folks, our ushers and the parking lot attendants and the fellowship crew (food); all had made their preparations. This was good training for our folks who are learning to prepare for the harvest.

The Movie "Fireproof" was excellent. As a result we will have some new small groups with new people attending them. This was part of the outreach. And it worked.

We thank God for all of His blessings.
David

One more saved Tuesday night

We have set a goal for 50 souls to be saved this year through our church people and outreach. We had 22 last year, our first year as a church.

Tuesday night we had another young boy receive Christ in one of our small groups. Praise God, we have now seen 4 children saved in this home where we are conducting small groups.

We finished up on Bill Faye's "Share Jesus Without Fear" last week and it was excellent. It has stirred a number of our folks up to be witnesses for Christ. Then last night we viewed Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort's "Way of the Master" video. It gave us another perspective on soulwinning.

Our prayer is for many to be saved and added to the church this year.
David