My friend Ryan Whitley says about church, “The way you get them is the way you keep them.”  He’s right.  People aren’t reached for the Kingdom by slick productions, big events, the latest fads, “Best Life Now” heresy, hip websites, or spiritual bells and whistles. People are reached by teaching, preaching, and proclaiming the Word of God pure and simple.

  Paul had something to say on this point… (2 Cor 4:1-6)

     Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Study God’s Word.  Teach God’s Word.  Preach God’s Word.  Do it without theatrics, fireworks, or clever gimmicks.  Only then will God be glorified.  Consider 1 Cor 2:1-5, also from God through Paul’s pen…

      And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Amen