Why Go To CHURCH?
According to church research only 21 percent of U.S. adults attend religious services every week, a significant decline from 42 percent in 2000. Also, with the rise in AI-driven religious apps and other technologies, it's becoming more challenging to keep people in church when they can click on an app and listen to awesome music and a great message.
So, how do we reverse this negative trend?
Let's start by examining how the 1st Century church was able to turn their world up side down in a hostile environment with leaders who were mostly uneducated and untrained (Acts 4:13, 17:6 NKJ).
A New Answer For A New Generation
It was President Woodrow Wilson who said, "A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, or what it is trying to do. We are trying to do a futile thing if we do not know where we came from or what we have been about.” I believe most churches today have forgotten something from our early church history that once made it a world changer.
So what's missing?
One of the major differences between the New Testament church versus the church today is the ministry role of the congregation. The 1st Century Christian was expected to gather together for the purpose of ministering to one another according to 1 Corinthians 14:26 NKJ. But today, it is just the opposite, most people come to church knowing that nothing is required of them except to sing some songs and listen to a message.
I believe we could once again "turn the world up side down" if we were to reinstated the true ministry role of the congregation or what I call, Interactive Ministry. Let me give you one personal example of what this looks like in the church today. I remember preparing for a service where the Lord gave me half a message; when I asked him why, he told me he gave the other half to two people. After sharing my half that Sunday, I closed my Bible and told the congregation that God had given the other half to two other people. Not knowing who these two were, I gave an invitation for them to come and share what they had received from God. Immediately, a man came up and shared his part, then a lady came up and shared her part, what was amazing about this divine experience was, all three parts complemented each other perfectly.
So, if you want to learn more about Interactive Ministry and the many different ways God desires to manifest himself to and through his congregation, then RSVP today for my next seminar.
Dr. Doug Gabbert
Body Alive Ministries
Dr. Doug Gabbert, Founder
Dr. Doug Gabbert has been nicknamed the Minister of Health because of his strong ministry background and 35 plus years of treating, formulating and consulting in the wellness industry. He is an international speaker, inventor, author and a member of The Lakes Church in Waupaca, Wisconsin.
Dr. Doug is involved in the biggest church paradigm shift of our time. In his book, Why Go To Church, A New Answer For A New Generation, he is reaching out to those who want more from their God / church experience.