Last fall Truth Advertising drove over 800 miles to Atlanta, GA for the Annual Catalyst conference.  After driving all night, we arrived to set up our booth at the Gwinett Arena which would host over 11,000 Christian leaders.  It was great to see several of our clients there at the conference,  many of whom we have never had the opportunity to meet face to face. 

Leaders from today’s most influential churches shared their wisdom during the general sessions.  We had an opportunity to listen in on several speakers as they challenged and equipped these leaders to be a catalyst in today’s generation.

Rick Warren challenged us to focus more on creating culture than trying to change culture.  Part of God’s nature is to create and if we are going to be like Him, we should focus on creating. 

The church has always had a history of adding value to our world.  Most of our hospitals came out of the influence of the church.  Many of our early universities were started as a training ground for those in ministry.  Science was largely impacted by those who had a Christian world view.

Just as many of our predecessor’s added value to our world with their schools, hospitals and scientific discoveries, we can impact our culture and add value to our communities with the local Church. 

Do you want to know how valuable your Church is at the present time?

Take a survey to find out how many members have invited a friend, co-worker or family member to attend on a Sunday morning.  If the numbers are low, chances are your members don’t see enough value in your Church.

Another big indicator of the value your Church has on your members and the community as a whole is how lives have benn changed. Is your Church changing lives?

3 ways to add more value to your Church?

1) Make your church a desired destination.  The more others will want to come to the church, the more we can increase His Kingdom. If I told you that if you came to my church for 3 weeks, I could make your marriage the best it has ever been, your kids would never do drugs and get straight A’s in school, and your sex life would be great-you would probably come visit my church for 3 weeks, wouldn't you.

People buy products and services for what the product or service can do for them. The Barna Group estimates that up to 65% of the population does not attend church regularly.  I am convinced that those numbers would decrease substantially if people saw more value in attending church.

2) Let everyone who attends your church know how valuable they are to you.  It is impossible to minister effectively to people if you do not value them.  Many times we feel that people who are single, poor, or of a different color, age, or gender than us cannot be valuable.  Often times we shut out those that look or think differently than we do. The next time someone shares or does something that you believe is unimportant, ask yourself if you truly value that person and the contribution that God would have them make.

3)  Make yourself more valuable to more people.  Be a lifelong learner.  Continue to work on your areas that God has gifted in you so that you can reach your full potential.  If you are going to effectively speak and minister to people’s needs you need to get in their world, see what they see, find out what they value.   

Why did we drive 800 miles and spend a few thousand dollars to attend the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta?Because we saw the value in it. Value to ourselves as individuals and value to our company as a whole.

Do you want to see real growth in your church? Begin to cultivate an environment of growth in your congregation. This year try offering life changing sermon series that are aimed at:

1. Improving marriages
2. Creating stronger families
3. Developing stronger character in children and young adults
4. Overcoming past hurts
5. Overcoming  addictions
6. Answering life’s tough questions

Truth Advertising can help you. We have a large line of sermon series that cover these issues that we have already run for other churches, with huge success. Browse our website, and get some ideas of how you can use these kinds of sermon series to begin to add more value to your church and your community this year.