Gary Rohrmayer's Blog, page 2
July 27, 2025
Spiritual Warfare Series — Devotional #3
This week, we continue to explore the following question: How does God’s enemy come after His people and His leaders for the sole purpose of distracting, disrupting, and derailing them from being involved in God's great mission?
As we survey Pauline literature, we will discover fourteen tactical strategies the enemy uses to come after God's people, along with specific antidotes for addressing each problem. See the introduction to this series for an overview of this subject.
Tactic 3: Unmet Sexual Needs in a Marriage Relationship"A successful marriage is built on spiritual, emotional, and sexual intimacy. To neglect any one of these could make your marriage vulnerable.”
– Gary Rohrmayer
Text: 1 Corinthians 7:3–5
“The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”
Problem:
“Satan can gain inroads into the life of a married person when sexual needs are not being met.”
– J. Robert Clinton
Antidote:
Reflective Questions:“Keep lines of communication open in a marriage relationship, concerning sexual needs.”
– J. Robert Clinton
On a scale of 1 (extremely frustrated) to 10 (extremely satisfied), how would you rate your sexual relationship with your spouse?
Could you share that number openly with your spouse?
How could the enemy manipulate the frustration you are experiencing?
In what area of your sexual life would he specifically tempt you?
Is there someone in your life with whom you can safely share these frustrations?
Prayer:Holy Father, You are the creator of the marriage union. May Your desire for oneness be fulfilled in our emotional, spiritual, and physical relationship.
Merciful Father, help me to be open and receptive in my conversations with my spouse. Protect me from being rigid and defensive.
Righteous Father, grant me the courage to speak the truth in love to my spouse concerning our relationship at every level: emotionally, spiritually, and sexually.
Loving Father, let the higher values of love guide my life, and not the base values of gratification control me. I come to You in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
July 21, 2025
Spiritual Warfare Series — Devotional #2
This week, we continue to answer the critical question:
How does God’s enemy come after His people and His leaders for the sole purpose of distracting, disrupting, and derailing them from being involved in God’s great mission?
As we survey Pauline literature, we will uncover fourteen tactical strategies the enemy uses to attack God’s people—along with specific antidotes to counter them. (See the introduction to this series for an overview.)
Tactic 2: Sexual Temptations, Abuse of Liberty & AddictionsTexts:“Sexual temptations are lurking around every corner of our lives today! Resisting the temptation to gratify the flesh is a full-time job.” — Gary Rohrmayer
1 Corinthians 5:5–6
“When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?”
1 Corinthians 6:12–20
“‘Everything is permissible for me’—but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible for me’—but I will not be mastered by anything... The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body... Flee from sexual immorality... Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit... You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.”
“Satan can destroy life by controlling a person through immoral sexual addiction along with other addictive substances such as food, alcohol, medication, etc.” — J. Robert Clinton
The enemy targets our bodies—using sexual sin and substance abuse to gain mastery over what God has redeemed. These are powerful tools of destruction, numbing us to the Spirit’s voice and derailing us from mission.
The Antidote“Avoid situations that can lead to sexual addiction and frequently ask the question, ‘Am I being controlled by these substances, sexual impulses, or the Spirit of God?’” — J. Robert Clinton
Guard your heart and habits: Proactively flee situations that invite compromise.
Ask hard questions: Who or what controls me?
Seek accountability: Invite others to help you walk in freedom.
Remember your identity: You are not your own—you belong to Christ.
Reflection QuestionsIf the enemy were to exploit one area of your life, what would it be?
How do you currently release stress in healthy, God-honoring ways?
Are you crossing moral lines in your thought life? (See Matthew 5:27–30)
When did you last conduct a rigorous spiritual inventory?
Do you often tell yourself, “I really need…” or “I really deserve…”?
Have you considered a spiritual fast to break any bond of wickedness? (Isaiah 58:6)
PrayerFather in heaven, I praise You for redeeming not just my soul but my body through the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. My body is Your temple, a dwelling place for Your Spirit. Grant me courage to deal with sin in my life and in the church. Help me seek what is beneficial, not merely what is permissible. I surrender my desires, impulses, and appetites to You, longing to honor You with my body. Teach me to treat all relationships with purity, respect, and love. Be my Master, Lord—I want to be ruled by You alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
July 14, 2025
Spiritual Warfare Series — Devotional #1
Over the next couple of months, we are setting out to answer this critical question:
How does God’s enemy come after His people and His leaders for the sole purpose of distracting, disrupting, and derailing them from being involved in God's great mission?
As we survey Pauline literature, we will discover fourteen tactical strategies the enemy uses against God’s people—along with specific biblical antidotes to counter them. (See the introduction to this series for an overview.)
Tactic 1: Relational Viruses / Relational Strife“Suspicion is like a cankerworm that slowly eats away at relationships.”
— Gary Rohrmayer
Text: Romans 16:17–20 (NIV)
The Problem“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”
“Satan upsets Christians’ inner life attitudes, taking away peace due to divisions in the church.”
— J. Robert Clinton
Division, suspicion, and relational tension are key tactics of the enemy. They weaken the Body of Christ, distract from mission, and rob God’s people of peace.
The Antidote“Strive for unity and maintain inward peace, as God works through your relationships. Learn to speak the truth in love. Look behind the divisions. Surround yourself with people of spiritual wisdom and discernment.”
— J. Robert Clinton
Pursue unity as a top priority.
Cultivate peace through truth-speaking and humility.
Guard your heart against suspicion and bitterness.
Lean on wise, discerning counsel.
Reflection QuestionsWho in your church are you harboring negative thoughts about—members, leaders, staff?
Are these thoughts based on reality, rumor, bias, or cultural prejudice?
Could these thoughts stem from your own insecurities?
What specific steps can you take today to replace negative thoughts with peace-filled, Christ-honoring ones?
PrayerHeavenly Father,
Grant me strength and courage to fight for the unity of your church. Help me guard my heart against suspicion and bitterness. Teach me to live securely in Christ, who is greater than my insecurities. May I admit when I’m wrong, speak the truth in love, and pursue peace—even at personal cost. Strengthen my relationships with my spouse, children, gospel partners, and church family.
Father of peace, we rejoice in your victory over the father of lies.
Amen.
Spiritual Warfare Series: Relational Viruses
Over the next couple of months, we are setting out to answer the following question: How does God’s enemy come after His people and His leaders with the sole purpose of distracting, disrupting, and derailing them from being involved in God's great mission?
As we survey Pauline literature, we will discover fourteen tactical strategies that the enemy uses to oppose God's people, along with specific antidotes to address each of these challenges. See the introduction to this series for an overview of the subject.
1. Relational Viruses or Relational Strife"Suspicion is like a cankerworm that slowly eats away at relationships."
Text: Romans 16:17–20 (NIV)
“I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naive people. Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”
Problem:
“Satan upsets Christians’ inner life attitudes, taking away peace due to divisions in the church.” – J. Robert Clinton
Antidote:
“Strive for unity and maintain inward peace, as God works through your relationships. Learn to speak the truth in love. Look behind the divisions. Surround yourself with people of spiritual wisdom and discernment.” – J. Robert Clinton
Who in your church are you having negative thoughts about—members, leaders, or staff?
Are these negative thoughts based on reality, rumor, personal bias, or cultural prejudice?
Are these thoughts being generated from a sense of insecurity on your part?
What specific action steps can you take to transform these negative thoughts and feelings into peaceful and constructive ones?
Prayer:Heavenly Father,
Grant me the inner strength and mental toughness to fight for the unity of the church, relational harmony, and the progress of the gospel. Help me to live securely in Christ, who is greater than my insecurities. May I continue to walk in the spiritual blessings that Jesus Christ has achieved for me through His death, resurrection, and victory over the evil one.
Give me the humility to admit when I am wrong, the courage to speak the truth in love, and the willingness to promote peace—even when it involves personal sacrifice. Empower me to take positive steps toward protecting my relationships with my spouse, children, gospel partners, and fellow believers in the church.
Father of Peace, we rejoice in Your victory over the father of lies.
Amen.
June 24, 2025
Awakened to the Battle: A Fresh Call to Spiritual Warfare
Argentine leader Ed Silvoso once warned, “The Church in the West today presents too easy a target for Satan. We do not believe we are at war. We do not know where the battleground is located, and in spite of our weapons, they are neither loaded nor aimed at the right target. We are unaware of how vulnerable we are. We are better fitted for a parade than an amphibious landing.”
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “…in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Corinthians 2:11). Paul, as a spiritual leader, affirmed that we can and should know the enemy’s tactics. In that passage, he highlights how an unforgiving spirit gives Satan a foothold in the life of the church. His words challenge us: spiritual leaders must be alert to how the enemy seeks to undermine God’s work.
The Enemy’s Playbook is Exposed
Scripture reveals the fall of Satan (Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:12–19), his strategies in Eden (Genesis 3:1–10), his assaults on Jesus (Matthew 4), his defeat through the cross (Hebrews 2:14), and his ultimate doom (Revelation 20:10). The Bible equips us so we won’t be outwitted.
Robert Clinton, in his Commentary on 1 & 2 Corinthians: Problematic Apostolic Leadership, notes that Paul’s writings contain critical insights on spiritual warfare. In one article, “Spiritual Warfare—Satan’s Tactics”, Clinton identifies key passages where Paul exposes Satan’s schemes. These form the foundation for a series of devotional reflections I am preparing for spiritual leaders—so we can build spiritual resilience, sharpen our dependence on God, and grow in discernment.
Clinton reminds us: “There are over 89 passages in Scripture that deal with or mention the Devil or Satan, along with others that discuss demonic influence.” Our focus will be on 14 key Pauline texts, always interpreted in light of the whole counsel of God.
14 Key Pauline Texts on Spiritual Warfare
Romans 16:17–20 — Relational Viruses
1 Corinthians 5:5; 6:12–20 — Sexual Temptation & Substance Abuse
1 Corinthians 7:3–5 — Unmet Sexual Needs in Marriage
2 Corinthians 2:7–11 — An Unforgiving Spirit
2 Corinthians 11:14–15 — Deceptive Leaders and Slick Teaching
Ephesians 4:25–27 — Unchecked Anger
2 Corinthians 12:7 — Sickness and Disabilities
Ephesians 6:10–20 — Lies, Half-Truths, and Unreliable Perspectives
1 Thessalonians 2:17–19 — Closed Doors
2 Thessalonians 2:9–12 — False Signs and Wonders
1 Timothy 1:18–20 — Severed Conscience
1 Timothy 3:6 — Immaturity and Pride
1 Timothy 4:1–4 — False Teachers
2 Timothy 2:24–26 — Spiritual Blindness
Our Mission, Our Resistance
Missional advancement always engages missional resistance (Matthew 16:18–19). My prayer is that we, as spiritual leaders, would engage these truths, strengthen our spiritual muscles, and walk in Spirit-empowered discernment. Let’s refuse to be caught off guard, and let’s equip the church for battle—not for a parade, but for victory in Christ.
May 29, 2025
5 Ideas for Beating the Summer Giving Slump
“God never estimates what we give from impulse. We are given credit for what we determine in our hearts to give—for the giving that is governed by a fixed determination.” – Oswald Chambers
Helping our people experience the timeless truth of moving from impulsive, haphazard giving to systematic and joyful giving is a continuous process.
We see this in Paul’s writings:
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
(2 Corinthians 9:7)
“On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.”
(1 Corinthians 16:2)
Summer is an excellent time to reinforce this principle in the hearts of your people in a way that is both inspiring and instructive. Here are five ways to leverage the summer slump to train and motivate your people toward consistent, heartfelt giving.
1. Get Better at Vision Casting on All LevelsKennon Callahan writes, “A clear vision of mission will be decisive in fostering your congregation’s capacity for giving.” Vision is always asking the whys, not the hows. A compelling vision moves people on a heart level and makes sense on a head level. Crafting your vision through multiple mediums is critical.
How are you at telling your vision?
Preaching, 2-minute giving talks, State of the Church updates
How are you at writing your vision?
Newsletters, membership letters, leadership briefings
How are you at showing your vision?
Videos, testimonies
How are you at celebrating your vision?
Give-and-serve moments, leadership celebrations
Understanding your church’s giving rhythms is essential. Maintaining 120 days of expenses in reserves provides peace of mind. Stressful, last-minute appeals rarely produce the results you want. They can even harm your culture.
Avoid creating a perception that the church only talks about money when it’s in need. Need-based appeals reduce your vision to paying bills instead of changing lives.
Spending freezes and mid-course corrections are better uses of leadership energy. This approach lets you address giving as a spiritual formation issue—not a financial emergency.
3. Send Out Quarterly Giving ReportsThe purpose of quarterly giving statements is to deepen the sense of ownership across the church. Each giving letter should include:
A well-written vision update and thank-you
A giving statement
A brief teaching on tithing, generosity, or ways to give
Helpful tools:
Sample letter: S_2_Summer_Giving_Email
4. Spend Focused Time with the 20% Who Give 80%Many pastors hesitate to engage deeply with their core givers due to concerns like:
Fear of favoritism
Personal insecurity
Intimidation by wealth
My response? Grow up, Pastor. As Paul wrote, “Act like men.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)
Investing time in your generous givers is not favoritism—it’s wisdom. One pastor I know regularly meets with his top givers to ensure they’re serving in roles aligned with their gifts.
If you don’t trust your heart, confess that and seek accountability. Wealthy people need spiritual shepherding too. I once visited a couple—he had one of the top 50 salaries in the state—and the wife told me, “You’re the first pastor who’s ever visited our home.”
Ask yourself:
How can I invest relationally in my leaders this summer?
How can I invest spiritually?
What can I do to deploy or redeploy them into meaningful service?
5. Help People Automate Their GivingIf your church doesn’t offer online giving, you're already 10 years behind. Not having options like automated giving or EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) limits your ability to connect with the next generation.
Every first-time giver should receive a “Ways to Give” document.
Consider dedicating one month each year to promote:
“Let’s Go Green in Our Giving”—through emails, letters, announcements, and giving talks.
Resources:
Free download: 10 Things Your Church Should Know About Online Giving
Sample video to encourage online giving
Bonus Tip: Don’t Give in to the Summer Slump Mentality
Keep the vision and mission red-hot through creative, strategic outreach. One summer, our church hosted a Friends Sunday that surpassed our Easter attendance—and launched us into a record-setting fall.
Remember: A vision slump always leads to a giving slump.
May 5, 2025
Church Health is a Serious Issue. Why? Because Scripture Mandates it.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter (a field manual) to Titus—who was serving as a regional leader on the island of Crete—charged him with the task of strengthening the churches there. He writes, "The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished..." (Titus 1:5). Some commentators say that Titus was working with 100 churches or more on the island of Crete during his time there.
The phrase “straighten out” (NIV) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. "It means, properly, to make straight upon, and then to put further to rights, to arrange further" (Robinson).
“Set in order” (NASB) is an interesting Greek word: epidiorthoo. The first two parts—epi and dio—are prepositions. The word orthoo is the root from which we get orthodontics, orthopedics—terms all related to “straightening.” When you go to the orthodontist, he straightens your teeth. When you go to the orthopedist, he straightens your bones. So what Paul is saying—intensified by two prepositions—is to thoroughly and completely straighten out what still isn't straight. In ancient times, that word was used by secular medical writers for the setting of bones or the straightening of bent limbs. Paul was essentially telling Titus: “I want you to completely set things straight.”
Titus’ commission was to establish and reestablish the foundations of the church in Crete in order to see strong, gospel-centered churches that are missionally engaged.
How was Titus to strengthen the churches on the island of Crete?Appoint leaders in every town (Titus 1:5–16).
He was to set forth the qualifications of healthy leaders (vv. 5–9) and deal decisively with the unhealthy ones (vv. 10–16).
Teach sound doctrine throughout the church (Titus 2:1–15).
He was to promote healthy thinking as well as healthy living (vv. 1–10), which is found in the power and motivation of the gospel (vv. 11–14).
Remind the people how to live out the gospel in this world (Titus 3:1–14).
He reminds them to “be ready to do good” (v. 2), to “be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good” (v. 8), and “to learn to devote themselves to doing what is good” (v. 14).
Considering this Scriptural foundation, we view church strengthening as a critical mandate.So, what is a healthy church?
It is led by healthy leaders who are examples to follow.
It deals with rebellion quickly and courageously.
It promotes sound doctrine—both strong orthodoxy (correct thinking) and orthopraxis (correct living).
It is intergenerational in reach and branches beyond social structures.
It promotes the centrality of the gospel as the fuel for sanctification and mission.
It does not merely talk about mission—it fulfills the mission of God.
One of our core convictions is that no leader should lead alone. We believe this also translates on a corporate level: no church should attempt to achieve that mission alone. Our desire is to walk alongside leaders and organizations—to be a voice of encouragement, like a coach calling out the best in them, and a friend to lean on.
Reflective Questions:How are you measuring the health of your church?
Do you know how to establish an annual church health rhythm?
How do you gather the opinions, feelings, and attitudes of your people in a constructive way?
How do you use your annual ministry plan to improve the quality of your ministry?
Who do you trust to help you in evaluating the health of your church?
March 21, 2025
4 Things You Can Do This Week To Retain Your Easter Crowd
Every church has a First Impressions Team. Those who welcome, greet, and serve all who attend your public gatherings. But how many churches have a Second Touch Team: those who are responsible for following up and seeking to connect those new attendees into the life of the church?
Every pastor gets frustrated with the lack of retention from the Easter outreach. The development of a Second Touch Team can help reduce that frustration. Here are a few things you can do to ramp up your game in following up on your Easter guests.
1. Touch your guests within 36 hours of their visit in a meaningful way.
How will you WOW them? When you wow your first-time guests, you communicate that you are serious about the mission Jesus has called you to and that people are important to you. The difference between growing churches and declining churches is in how they treat first-time guests.
Think about how you will respond to the following people individually and personally:
Those who fill out the Communication Card – How will you WOW them?
Those who fill out a prayer request – How will you tell them they have been prayed for?
Those who want more information on a specific ministry, how will they be contacted?
Those who gave their first gift to the church – How will you thank them and encourage them to become regular givers?
Those who register their children for children’s ministry – How will you recognize the children? What could you send them to WOW them and their parents?
Thom Rainer writes, “If a person visits your church for the first time, the probability of their returning a second time is considerably higher if you make contact with them within thirty-six hours of their visit.” Herb Miller takes it to another level, “When laypersons make fifteen-minute visits to the homes of first-time worship visitors within thirty-six hours, 85 percent of them return the following week.”
What are you willing to do to see people come back again and again?
2. Offer next steps or come-back activities for guests.
Make sure you clearly and passionately communicate the “why” behind the next steps as well as the what. Here are a few next steps or come-back ideas.
Announcing a new message series that will inspire them to come back.
Announcing a family-friendly event that is fun, creative, and connecting.
Hand out the Spiritual Journey Guide so they visually see the next steps in discipleship. Here is one pastor’s testimony.
Offering a Newcomers luncheon or dinner.
Offering a seeker study such as Bible 101 or Christianity 101.
Offering a serving opportunity within a church-wide community service project.
Remember the difference between leaders and followers is that leaders know the next steps. For good retention, you will need to embrace the next steps principle.
3. Think about the next 30 days, not just the next 7 days
Allen Ratta writes, “The research shows the more visitors visit a church, the greater the odds that they will eventually become a part of that church. Yet, churches consistently behave in ways that ignore this critical fact. For example, churches often place all their efforts on first-time visitors. The reality is that churches will receive a far greater return on investments that they make in 2nd, 3rd, and subsequent visitors. What is lacking in many visitor assimilation efforts is the ability to direct and mobilize key resources to repeat visitors. Sustained follow-up is essential to effective visitor assimilation.”
2nd visit ideas
Personal invitation to a family-friendly event.
Handwritten invitation to Newcomers luncheon.
Phone call by a volunteer asking, “How can we pray for you and your family?”
Help them connect with a small group leader in their area.
3rd visit ideas
Invitation to spiritual formation retreat or seminar.
Invitation to attend a membership seminar or class.
Invitation to Bible 101 or Christianity 101 small group.
Send a brochure on how you will help them grow spiritually and serve in the church.
A phone call from a staff person to help them take the following steps into the church's life.
4th visit ideas
Set up an appointment to discuss where they are on their spiritual journey.
Invitation to dinner with other newcomers at the pastor’s or staff member’s home.
What we measure reveals what really matters to us.
Invitation to serve on a ministry team.
4. Measure the effectiveness of your retention process.
Gary McIntosh sites the following research:
A church must keep about 16 percent of its first-time guests to experience a minimal growth rate of 5 percent a year.
Rapidly growing churches keep between 25 and 30 percent of their first-time guests. Declining churches keep only about 5 to 8 percent of their first-time guests.
Do you know how you are retaining your visitors? The churches that track attendance, visitors, and visitor retention are statistically the churches that are growing.
Conclusion:
Take time this week to focus on and develop a plan for getting your Easter crowd back. This preparation will pay rich dividends for Easter and the rest of the year as you apply these practices to every Sunday Worship experience.
Additional Resources
Simple Ideas for Getting Your Easter Crowds Back
March 4, 2025
Five Questions to Answer in Your Easter Letter This Year
One way to encourage your congregation to attend and invite a friend on Easter Sunday is to write a personal letter to every member of the church concerning your upcoming Easter Service(s).
Leaders lead! In sending a letter to your congregation, you’re showing initiative and leadership. Make a heartfelt appeal to your people to make this the best Easter ever in the life of your church. Here are 5 questions the letter should address:
An enthusiastic vision: Why am I excited about this Easter Service?
Encouragement & ideas for inviting friends: What invitational tools can I encourage them to use?
Invite them to get involved: What serving opportunities do I need to specifically promote?
Get the specific details: What logistical details do I need to share with them?
Remind them of the reality of the resurrection in their lives: How can I encourage them to experience the victorious life promised in the resurrection?
Three Reasons for Not Giving Up on Easter Outreach
I have been concerned lately that pastors and church leaders put little evangelistic energy into their Easter Services. Here are a few reasons we are hearing:
“All our key people go on vacation at that time.”
“We don't want to be an attractional church.”
“We are having staffing issues and can’t handle a big workload right now.”
“We have not had fruitful Easter Outreaches in the past.”
While all of those things may be true, I believe there are important reasons to consider leveraging Easter as an opportunity for kingdom growth:
1. Leaders should leverage the cultural opportunities to proclaim the truth of Easter.
Though I believe every Sunday is a resurrection celebration, when the majority of our culture accepts Easter as a religious holiday, we should leverage the opportunity to proclaim the gospel in power and clarity.
Scott McConnell, director of LifeWay Research, wrote, "Easter and Christmas are the most revered worship observances of the Christian faith. The crux of the gospel is not just that Jesus came to earth in human form which we celebrate at Christmas, but that He lived a sinless life and was crucified in the place of mankind. God's acceptance of this payment for sin is seen in Him raising Jesus from the dead. This is what makes Easter so significant. Yet, surprisingly, many who call themselves Christian have no intentions of going to Easter services."
If we pastors don't take steps to teach about the significance of these special days both spiritually and evangelically, we are giving in to culture and are not edifying the church. Remember, strong edification will lead to effective evangelism.
Why not write a personal letter to everyone on your mailing list, encouraging them on the importance of Easter? See Sample.
2. Leaders replace excuses with faith.
Excuse: “All our key people go on vacation at that time.”
Response: This is a great time to raise up new leaders. Even if many of your people go on vacation, remember you are trying to reach the people who are not yet in your church.
Excuse: “We don't want to be an attractional church.”
Response: Every church is attractional if it has a central gathering or building, so we will embrace it and do our best. Easter is about being attractional one Sunday of the year, not about changing your mission philosophy.
Excuse: “We are having staffing issues and don’t have the manpower.”
Response: We will always have issues and problems, but leaders do not let problems distract us from reaching our community.
Excuse: “We have not had fruitful Easter Outreaches in the past.”
Response: We will figure this out and not settle for unfruitfulness. (see one pastor’s testimony)
There are many testimonials to the effectiveness of Easter Outreach. Here are a few:
“One pastor who intentionally leveraged Easter for 13 years told me he saw his attendance double every Easter Sunday, and then experienced 20% retention. That meant 20% growth from just one weekend a year.”
“I met with another pastor this week who said we should do everything possible to leverage Easter from focused prayer campaigns like 21 Days of Prayer or 21 Days of Discipleship. We develop personal invites, we use direct mail, we use yard signs, and we send out press releases because this is the Super Bowl of Christianity.”
“My personal testimony is that our church grew 10 years straight because we chose to leverage Easter and continued to grow 2 years after I left.”
3. Leaders do whatever it takes to reach their community.
Leaders have a burden not just for their church but for their community. Does your heart break for the lost in your area? Or is your heart hardened by spiritual defeat and ineffectiveness? Are you willing to pray this missional prayer? “Father, break my heart for the world you are seeking to save.”
Leaders who have a burden for their community embrace and understand the principle of sowing and reaping and possess a sowing mentality.
Finally, some of you are asking, is it too late? No, go for it! Start today! God is reaching your community with His great love. There is a great redemptive flow happening all around us. Will you and your church be a part of it, or just sit there and watch it go by you?
Scott McConnell offers these words of encouragement: "Easter is the greatest celebration of the Christian faith. The extra excitement and higher attendance intrigue many who do not attend regularly. As one in five Americans keeps their options open, Christians have no reason to be shy about asking friends to join them for an Easter service."
