The next angels with new spirits
then instruct them – much as the Lord
taught on earth, by asking people a lot
of questions. So it is important to show
a real interest and be a good listener.
It’s also a good exercise in humility.
With young adults today most are
not joiners but doers. We need to find
ways to involve them in the life of the
church. Being useful is an important
part of building community.
What we offer in the New Church
can be life changing but Mac found it
was very important to solicit feedback.
What is working? What isn’t? Their
opinions matter.
Effective outreach is more than
just offering truth. We need to involve people in good works also, such as
service projects. We should be inviting people not just to worship with us but
to serve with us.
Out of this experience Mac is developing theories which he is presenting
to the clergy. As an evangelist he identifies particularly with the statement in
the Sermon on the Mount: “Let your light so shine that men may see your
good works and glorify God in heaven.” We can all let our light shine.
We also have The Great Commission at the end of Matthew to “go forth
and baptize all nations.” Growing the Church really starts with the individual
and we all have a role.
The primary use of the priesthood, as described in the Writings, is to
instruct in the truths of faith and lead to the good of life. The old idea of
evangelism was simply sharing truth. But we can’t just feed truth to people
without showing how it applies to life. We should be inviting people in to the
good of life and to be changed by it.
We know that unless we add good to truth we don’t really have a church.
Our approach should be: here’s what is true now let’s go out and practice it.
The number one criticism of organized religion is that it doesn’t practice what
it preaches. To reach new people – especially young people – we should not
be standing in front of them preaching but inviting them to stand next to us.
We need to be involved in our communities by planting seeds. Church
growth should not be the specific goal but simply increasing the way that
people are connected to the Church and the Lord. If we practice love to the
neighbor the Lord will bless our efforts.
To contact Mac Frazier: [email protected])
Effective outreach is
more than just offering
truth. We need to involve
people in good works
also, such as service
projects. We should
be inviting people not
just to worship with us
but to serve with us.
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