Thoughts for building a church on the mission field by Jeffrey Bush
Show and tell your people what all ministerial positions look like — be specific about what an usher, musicians, teacher, etc., should do and how they should act.
Put a tract rack/stand on the street in front of the church where people can pick up information for free.
Place church signs everywhere possible — on building, upright stands on the sidewalk, banners over the street, etc.
Put a speaker outside with native speaker inviting others to come in, maybe some good music or announcements.
Pray God to work. Sounds cliche, but James 4:2 tells us that we have not because we ask not. Do you really believe God can work? Do you want God to do a big work? If you do believe it, then it’s time to ask God, which will result in living expectantly.
Preach and talk about what you want and expect. Would people know you believe and want to see servants of Christ raised up? Remember that nothing is dynamic unless it’s specific, meaning it cannot impact and change people unless you are specific in your preaching and teaching.
Preach messages that are simple and clear.
Get everyone a job, an opportunity to be plugged in. Don’t let hardly anyone in the pulpit, but get a paper and write down all ministries that people can be involved in (i.e.: give out bulletins, ushers, welcome committee, evangelism, line up chairs, sound system, kids ministries, play instrument, serve coffee/tea to all, etc.).
Make an order of the service
Carry tracts with you everywhere you go and encourage others to do the same.
Find out what it would cost to get on the radio, get in the newspaper or put ads on the buses, taxis, street posts, street banners over roads, etc. Get the word out that there is a church that preaches the gospel and wants to help people in your area.
Have a giant sign on your church building, whether someone paints or you purchase it. Using an electrical, lit-up sign if possible so that people can see it at night.
Make sure you have a webpage for the church.
Use Facebook or other popular apps is (like WeChat, WhatsApp, etc.) to promote your church and activities. People use Facebook in other countries more than in the US.
Have Bibles available in church for visitors or for those who don’t have one.
Give out Bibles for free to people who come to three consecutive services (or whatever number of services you think works best).
Pay someone to drive with a big speaker of recording that talks about your church. Although not everywhere, many countries have people that sale fruit or other products by driving around with a big speaker… so use the same idea.
Talk about what a church is and work to organize it.
Have people at the church doors to receive any guests, to give out something, to answer any questions and to point them inside.
Have a personal business card and give it out wherever you go. People will begin to know you as the pastor or Bible teacher.
Send everyone home with something from the church — bulletin, preaching notes, calendar or something. Remember that if they hang up something or carry around something with the church’s name on it, it’s good and free publicity.
Give out gifts to every visitor — pen, mug, tract, candy, magnet or something with the church’s name on it.
Have challenges in church where people can get a gift. For example:
- Bring a visitor and get a free T-shirt
- Come so many services and get a Bible
- Memorize a Bible verse and get a free coffee mug.
- Pass out so many tracts during the week and get free pen with church’s name on it.
- Take notes in church 5x and get a free notebook with church’s name on it.
- Read Bible through and get a sweatshirt or light jacket.
Have a small bookstore (maybe only a small table in the corner) with a few nicer Bibles and books that you know will help people.
Decorate the church with Bible verses on walls, in halls and anywhere possible. Remember, it’s God’s Word that changes lives and we want to get it into their hearts, memories and lives.
Use offering envelopes and put them in a rack or little case hung on the wall. Even if you prefer not to use envelopes, the idea of people seeing others pick them up to give makes a big statement and is a reference when you talk about giving. It also helps divide up where the giving goes (tithe, construction, missions, etc.) and lets people know both the need, the importance and organization of giving.
Put up a map of your city with a verse under it and a saying of how it’s your responsibility to tell the area about Jesus.