Design Worship with Kingdom Impact In Mind

Rachel and Cody were new in town. They were visiting various congregations to find one that fit them. One Sunday they attended The Journey Church. As they left worship a First Impressions Team member handed them a four-by-six card. On one side was the church’s vision statement, an announcement about a marriage seminar, and a QR code to register.

It was the other side that most got their attention. It repeated the title of the pastor’s message and the Bible passage: “Inasmuch” and Matthew 25:31–46. Then it had a “Call to Action” which said the following:

“As you journey through life this week, be intentional about seeing the hungry who need food, the thirsty who need water, the homeless stranger, those shivering without adequate clothes, the sick who need a visit, and those in prison who need restoration. See not only their literal condition, but the spiritual encounter they need with someone who loves them unconditionally. Be that person. Act with compassion toward them as though you were doing it to Jesus.”

Then it asked them to anonymously share their encounters with people during the week, and how they were an example of the love of Jesus. Another QR code took them to a page on the church’s website where they could post about their ministry encounters. Soon that page populated with comments from the congregation.