The Church: Making An Impact

A friend of mine was often quoted as saying; “You impress people from a distance, you impact them up close.” (This quote originates from Howard Hendricks.) This statement has been a part of my ministry philosophy for nearly twenty years. Churches today are charged with the task of making disciples that truly make a difference in the lives of people. While much of the ministry is people oriented many leaders simply perform ministry as a duty and task. Some leaders leave an impression upon people but the ministry is distant and too often indifferent to individuals. The Challenge of this article is to look at ways a church can disciple people that make an impact on people.

Making an impression isn’t hard to do. All a church has to do is develop a program that meets the interests of people through forms of entertainment. For example, a church can perform a great musical. Many show up and enjoy the program. They leave the performance impressed with the talent and ability of people. However, they may have not been impacted. Often churches fail to do follow up after a musical. Gathering a crowd is celebrated by churches! But where they impacted? Sure the performance was good and may have brought about a tear and heart-felt response. But, is this the impact churches really want to make? Some churches may even record decisions that were made and indicated on a response card. Did the church follow up with this decision? Did they place a personal phone call or home visit to discuss this decision?

What if a church could develop a discipleship ministry that focused its efforts on making an impact upon the lives of people? What would this look like? Making an impact requires something that merely making a positive impression. It requires a personal contact and involves a personal interaction with someone. This is something that churches often miss by simply gathering a crowd.

What is my point? In ministry to people in crisis or families who are needy a key to transformation requires a personal connection. This is a relational impact that changes a person’s outlook on life and potentially that way they view faith and religion. Simply impressing a person is superficial. Often people say things like, “They were nice.” Or “they dressed well.” But what if people responded by saying, “That person really cares about me”

IN THE MINISTRY OF LOVE TO THOSE IN CRISIS people are looking for something genuine and authentic. This should be the hallmark of compassionate ministries. People should be impacted by our ministry, not just impressed with its quality or organization or performance-based outcomes. While making an impact should involve excellence it should never settle for “good impressions” that in the long run do not change lives.

Pastors and ministry leaders can not do this alone. They need to develop an army of people willing to be disciples that reach people through personal means. It a church is to make a larger difference than its army of followers should also be larger. It starts with the leader and those willing to become disciples and serve in the name of Christ should be recruited and trained.

Tell me what you think about this article. For more ideas on how to make an impact on people go to http://www.compassdriven.com/ or http://www.love-cc.org/ . Let me know what your church is doing to make an impact on people.