God’s Target Market

Praise God for Pastor David’s sermon on Sunday!  As we prepare for our 55^th Homecoming at Bartimaeus Baptist Temple.(www.BBTemple.org) Pastor David so eloquently preached on This Is Who We Are:

Message by Pastor David Whitmore for September 1 – This is Who We Are:  http://goo.gl/UqaaK6

I hope you have an Opportunity to listen to this powerful 30 minute sermon.  However in our microwave world you may appreciate looking at the main points:

So Who Is God’s Target Market?

Being a Marketing Major myself I delight in the concept of Marketing:  focusing in on people who share similarities that may make them good candidates for what you offer.  Makes sense, right?  Whatever you are “selling” make sure that you focus on those who are most likely to be “buying.”

Unless of course you’re talking Christianity.

Because in Luke 14:  13-14 we are commanded to “target” those least able to repay us.

Luke 14:13-14 NIV:  But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Many churches when confronted with the lack of people with disabilities in their congregations may say “well of course ‘they’ are invited!”  Really?  Is your building accessible  (i.e. can they get in the front door)?  And once inside are they able to maneuver around?  How about bathrooms—is there one that they are able to actually use?

But Wait!  There’s More!

So if you REALLY want to minister to people and families affected by disability you will need to not only address these delicate issues—you also need to be more proactive than passively “inviting” someone to your church:  you need a way to get them there.  Many people with disabilities do not drive.  And many places lack public transportation on Sundays when most churches gather nationwide.

So go with me just ten verses further where you will find a second command:

Luke 14:23-24 NIV:  “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.’”

Verily we are commanded to not simply “invite” people and families affected by disability—we need to be actively, purposefully and earnestly doing whatever we need to do to in order to help compel people and families affected by disability into a Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ.

So how “compelling” is your church? Let’s talk about it!

In His Accessible Grace,

Linda