Will someone please close the back door

Ephesians 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. NIV

God is a wonderful God. The amazing things that have happened here in Prague, in this Church since its beginning.

But with all the wonderful things that have come, people still are being blown here and there.

The great frustration for Pastors and the people of the Church is to see people come and go.

Skit: Open back door, greet the new people and they walk out the back door!

* Title of today’s Preaching “Will someone please close the back door?”

1. High expectations
1. Teaching and expecting excellence.

                                          i.    Not perfection

                                         ii.    Commitment and excellence draws the committed and excellent to stay. The opposite is true.

1. Small groups (in some form)
1. Teaching, fellowship, prayer, outreach, connection with Christ.
2. The classic home group? Yes and…

                                          i.    Special interest groups (VLC)

                                         ii.    Ministry groups (prayer groups, evangelism, worship teams,…)

1. Ministry involvement
1. The quicker we can involve people the more likely that will be to stay.

                                          i.    Every believer has a part to play in the body

1.    Jerusalem (private life), Samaria (Church), uttermost parts of the world (outside the Church)

                                         ii.    You are needed and important

                                        iii.    You are a carrier of this vision

1. Take ownership of this ministry

                                          i.    Responsibility and rewards

1. Is there something for me to do? #. Don’t think that any ministry is too small and unimportant.

1. Relationship connections
1. Most relationships happen before people ever come to Church                                           i.    That is why getting to know people at these events can be so important.
2. This connection keeps them in the Church

                                          i.    Everyone’s ministry

1.    Friendly (it’s easy) Look for those you do not know!

a.    Don’t be self conscious - you represent Christ and his Church not yourself

2.    informed (know what is going on)

3.    Invite people (to events, home groups, fellowship etc…)

4.    connect to more relationships

a.    know people yourself

b.    introduce new people to others

c.