[xzins]

So you don't believe in outreach programs? No youth basketball, no crusades, no Mom's day out programs, no vacation bible schools.....nothing?

'Cause I don't see this as being one whit difference than vacation bible school if run correctly.

You read well but you don't read well enough...if you did you'd see my point!! :>)

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

The preacher in our church made an announcement yesterday that I thought was sad it even had to be said. He said to all people who volunteered or were in charge of any and all youth activities, that they needed to be sure that at some point in the activity that a devotional that included the plan of salvation be presented. That the activity itself was not and should not be the entire/only point of the get together.

Like I said, it's sad that this has to be pointed out to these so called "church" activity leaders, and I have a feeling this has to be said frequently at/to all church youth activity leaders. Somehow the fun takes over and even the leaders forget what the main purpose is for.

Becky

[RnMomof7]

Outreach by the people xzins not the church..VBS and a good Sunday school are ministries to children..you do not expect them to grow your church much..it is foundation laying ( My younger kids went to a UMC VBS and sundays school for a few years)..We never joined...

Outreach services are not the same as individuals being responsible for evangelization...Soup kitchens..food pantries...and even basketball is FULFILLING the gospel..it is the expectation that is a function of the church.. not to grow numbers..but to be obedient to the gospel (can you see the different focus I have in this??)

So often instead of presenting the gospel to a workmate or friend they say "come to church with me" so they Pastor can do it..THAT IS NOT THE FUNCTION of the Pastor..

His "job " is to mature the saints..so THEY can present the gospel themselves