The vast majority of people think in terms of success, happiness, contentment, and pride. They are not powerful forces, but weak. I can see it in the clergy in their efforts to make great impressions. My favorites include the fancy coffee baristas to make people want to come to that church. One of the assistant pastors had a tag on him - Barista! When I printed that on Ichabod, he changed his title. Nevertheless, he went on to greater WELS Church Growth successes.
A little more obvious is the car maintenance offered by one LCMS congregation in Midland, Michigan. I thought quiet time on Sunday was for prayer, singing, and listening to the Gospel. Motor oil and solvents do not enhance the effort to draw in more people.
I left the Disciples of Christ for that very reason. The highly-tanned look was enhanced by acting the clown as much as possible, even riding the firetruck to church and wearing a white Chaplain helmet.
The Bible says nothing about this, except in revealing what is to come.
The most powerful force is faith in Jesus Christ and asking for His help, in all kinds of trouble, pain, and fears. This should reach to neighbors, even to clergy friends.
