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Statistics troubling
Published October 21, 2009
While attending a Hebrew Christian Bible study class I was amazed to hear the speaker mention that, according to a research study on Christianity, 97 percent of the Christian church did not add one new convert. “What?” I thought, “No way.”
Furthermore, the speaker explained, many churches are not seeing new growth. More often than not, they see a cycle of people of the faith changing venues. Well, this bothered me.
How could this be? Of course, I’ve changed churches at least three times. Surely I wasn’t considered in those statistics.
Considered by many theologians as The Great Commission, I squirmed in my seat as he quoted Jesus’ words. “Go ye therefore and make disciples.”(Matthew 28:19)
Perhaps I am part of the 97 percent — or maybe not. At best I can say there should be a few new Christian souls out there because of me.
For information on early Christian church growth and conversion versus the 21st century Christian movement, you can turn to scholar Rodney Stark, who researched and analyzed the growth of the early Christian church for his book “The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries.”
There is a New Ministry in Brazoria: House of Prayer and Praise Ministries has opened its doors at 3059 FM 521 in Brazoria. Bishop Felton Harris and his wife, Patricia, are on a mission to spread the Gospel.
“I’m here as your servant for The Kingdom of God to bless people,” the bishop said.
Noting a vast number of churches throughout Brazoria County, I couldn’t help but ask, “Why another church?”
“My calling,” he said, “is to reach those who have been overlooked, people who are tired of endless irrelevant church traditions, and people who have setbacks because of mistakes, including those who have had a run-in with the law. I want to share how important they are to God.”
Sunday morning are at 10 a.m. and Bible studies are at 7 p.m. each Wednesday.
For information, call 979-848-4696
CityWide Revival 2009: This event, presented by The Gulf Coast Baptist Ministers Alliance, will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday through Oct. 29. Many people are facing the theme for the three-night event, “Praying in Troubled Times.” The revival will be hosted by New Jerusalem Baptist Church, 1615 Skinner, Freeport.
Guest speakers will include Evangelist Dr. Mose A. Jones, Pastor S.K. White, Pastor John L. White III, Pastor M. Louis Jones and Gulf Coast Baptist Ministers Alliance President B.N. Harper.
For information, call 979-265-5358.
Bobbie Greer is a community columnist for The Facts. Contact her at 979-265-7411, or e-mail bobbie.greer(at)thefacts.com.
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