In the book of Acts, the focus often lands on the apostles who preached and performed miracles, but what about the regular church members? Their contributions, though less documented, were pivotal in growing the church. Most people in the church today will not receive a vocational calling to ministry or become pastors, yet their role in evangelism remains crucial.

The church often seeks out rare talents for leadership roles, but there's more to ministry than just having a select few on staff. The work of growing the church isn't solely the responsibility of pastors. Everyone in the church has a part to play. This brings us to a critical concept: Come and Become Evangelism.

Evangelism is about inviting others to follow Jesus. "Come and Become Evangelism" involves Christians inviting others to church, forming the primary strategy for growth. This approach has three main benefits:

1. Time to Consider the Cost and Consequences

Inviting someone to church allows them to connect with a community where they can wrestle with questions and grow gradually. Instant decisions are rarely lasting; true discipleship involves a series of encounters with Jesus. Lasting conversions typically take multiple encounters, emphasizing that discipleship is about introducing people to Jesus and supporting them as they grow.

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.'" - Matthew 16:24 (NLT)

2. Instant and Natural Follow-Up

This strategy ensures that new attendees are immediately connected and can start growing within the community. Everyone plays a role in welcoming and integrating newcomers. The goal of evangelism isn't merely to elicit a prayer but to foster ongoing discipleship. Church involvement provides the support necessary for new believers to continue their journey of faith.

"So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)

3. Accessibility for All Christians

Evangelism becomes a natural part of a Christian's life. How one lives reflects their faith, influencing their ability to evangelize. Everyone is on a mission to grow the church, embodying the invitation to others. Jesus made it clear that there is plenty of room in His Father’s house, encouraging believers to invite others to join the family of faith.

"There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?" - John 14:2 (NLT)

Inviting others into the church means welcoming diverse and sometimes messy lives. The early church dealt with a range of issues, and so will today's church. But this messiness is a sign of life and growth.

"For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” - Matthew 18:20 (NLT)

Jesus' return is imminent, and this urgency compels believers to show others the way to God. If the sole purpose of faith was personal salvation, God would take believers to Heaven immediately upon conversion. Instead, He leave

Richard starts by defining humility, emphasizing that while social media often showcases pride and arrogance, true humility is rarely celebrated. He cites Rick Warren’s quote: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” This perspective shifts the focus from false modesty, where individuals downplay their abilities, to a genuine self-assessment in relation to God and others.

C.S. Lewis adds to this understanding, suggesting that a truly humble person doesn’t think about humility or themselves at all but instead takes a genuine interest in others.

The Bible offers extensive insights into humility, which Richard categorizes into three main aspects:

1. Low Esteem: This form of humility places an individual at the bottom of the societal hierarchy. Romans 12:16 encourages believers to live in harmony and associate with the lowly, while Psalm 95:6 calls for worship and bowing down before God, emphasizing that in His presence, humans are on the ground, acknowledging His greatness.

2. Not Demanding Perks: Richard contrasts worldly desires for perks with Jesus’ example. Despite being entitled to the best of everything, Jesus chose a humble path. Philippians 2:5-8 describes how Jesus gave up divine privileges and lived humbly, even to the point of dying on a cross. Jesus’ life exemplifies not demanding special treatment but serving others, as highlighted in Matthew 8:20, where He states, “Foxes have dens… but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

3. Occupying God-Given Space: True humility involves recognizing and occupying the space God has created for each individual. Romans 12:3 advises believers to measure themselves honestly by the faith God has given. Psalm 149:4 reveals that the Lord delights in His people and crowns the humble with victory, affirming that God honors those who humbly occupy their designated roles.

Richard illustrates Jesus’ humility through the act of washing the disciples’ feet, a task reserved for the lowliest of servants. This powerful gesture, described in John 13:1-17, shows Jesus’ willingness to humble Himself for others, setting a profound example for His followers.

Drawing from the book "Good to Great," Richard introduces the concept of the "window and the mirror." Great leaders attribute success to their team (the window) and take personal responsibility for failures (the mirror). Jesus embodied this leadership style, sending out His disciples to perform miracles and promising they would do even greater things (John 14:12). Ultimately, He took humanity’s failures upon Himself on the cross, offering redemption.

Humility is vital because it aligns believers with God’s will, allowing Him to work through them. David’s story from 1 Samuel 24 exemplifies this, where despite being anointed as the next king, David refrains from killing Saul, respecting God’

The success of a community is deeply rooted in the strength and presence of its fathers. Communities with strong, involved fathers thrive, while those with weak or absent fathers often struggle with rebellious children and immature adults. Fathers play an essential role in shaping the future of their families and, by extension, their communities.

Fathers Lead

Christian fathers are called to lead their families toward a relationship with God and away from sinful desires. The impact of a father on his family is profound, and this influence can be for better or worse. The concept of "monitored freedom" is vital in this leadership role. Granting children freedom before they are wise enough to handle it is irresponsible. Instead, fathers should gradually allow their children more freedom as they demonstrate responsibility, stepping in to restrict that freedom when necessary.

One father's personal experience illustrates this principle well. As a child, he was excited when his parents told him he no longer had a bedtime, only to quickly lose that privilege after staying up too late playing video games. This early lesson in responsibility paved the way for more significant freedoms later on. By the time he turned 16, his parents told him he was no longer accountable to them but to God, whose discipline is more severe (Hebrews 12:6). This transition was crucial, providing a framework for managing freedom responsibly by the time he reached college.

The Gift of Freedom

Freedom is a precious yet dangerous gift from God. It requires careful management and accountability. God's discipline, while severe, is an act of love (Hebrews 12:6). This divine model of parenting is a guide for earthly fathers, who should also discipline their children out of love. This discipline helps children learn to manage their freedom and grow into mature, responsible adults.

Many young people today struggle with this concept, often rebelling without understanding the true value and responsibility of freedom. Loving fathers monitor their children's freedom, guiding them to maturity. This mirrors the way God disciplines and guides His children.

Taking Responsibility

Fathers must take responsibility for their children's actions. This responsibility reflects the sacrificial love of Jesus, who took on the sins of humanity. Fathers should lead their homes with the same selfless dedication. When children face consequences for their actions, fathers should be involved, whether by making their children accountable or, at times, stepping in to help bear the burden themselves.

The empathy that fathers feel when their children are hurting is a God-given trait designed to motivate them to help. However, fathers often need a reminder to stay engaged and not turn their backs on their children, as it is easier for them to distance themselves than it is for mothers.

The Importance of Fathers

The statistics are clear: fatherless homes significantly impact society. One in four children is raised without a father, compared to one in forty without a mother. Absent fathers weaken communities. God designed the family unit with both a mother and father to lead children into a mature relationship with Him. This partnership is crucial, and when fathers fail to fulfill their role, the entire community suffers.

The Transition in Marriage

A significant shift occurs when children marry. According to Matthew 19:5, "A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." This transition marks the beginning of a new family unit, inde