There is an old saying... "If you have to invite someone to church, don't bother". That may seem odd but think of this example from Jesus ministry, who we are to follow. He did not publicise his ministry, in fact, he did the opposite. He encouraged silence!
There seem two truths at play here.
First, Jesus helped people out of his compassion. He offered what he could, health and deliverance, toease suffering. He met their needs out of his kind heart. He could not say no! It was not a membership drive, was no advertising, was no plan to get people to listen, was no motive other than compassion. We should follow his example... Serve others. Meet their needs out of pure love and compassion. Not church building, not with numbers in mind, just pure compassion for suffering.
Second, meeting peoples need brought the crowds to Jesus! They overwhelmed to the point he could not even enter a town! The lesson here is that if we meet others needs, crowds will come automatically. Truly meeting needs is unique, and draws a crowd. People are full of needs to be met.
The saints of today, the churches of today, would do well to heed this lesson. Crowds come when needs are met. If we forgot about all the advertising and programs and entertainment and enticement, instead just met true needs with true solutions from above, out of a pure heart of compassion, our churches would be overwhelmed with crowds. Not offering man's wisdom that is a dime a dozen, but true healing, true deliverance, true help... As Jesus did. If we are unable to offer true help from above, our goal should be seeking god until "clothed with power from on high" so that we can walk as Jesus did.
Advertising is not the answer... Righteousness, power, compassion, love. Those are the answer to a hurting world.
