en·ter·tain
–verb (used with object)
1. to hold the attention of pleasantly or agreeably; divert; amuse.
2. to have as a guest; provide food, lodging, etc., for; show hospitality to.
Each and every time there are people that gather in our services, events or just congregate in our auditoriums, it is our job as pastors and church leaders to ENTERTAIN them!
I know, I know… I can hear the flack now! “ENTERTAIN??? It is not about Entertainment!!!” Well, actually, a part of it is. Look at the definition of the word. The Entertain means to hold ones attention, and it says to have as a guest… Hopefully in our churches we are having lost people show up each time we gather and as we gather, it is our job as the leaders of the service experiences or whatever to HOLD THEIR ATTENTION.
Why is this important? The Gospel should be preached and taught in a very creative, applicable, unadulterated way and if that be the case, and if we want to be more like Jesus, WE MUST HOLD THEIR ATTENTION! Which means, we must ENTERTAIN them! If they are attentive, especially those far from God, they are more likely to accept what you are saying and receive Jesus!
Much debate has been had over this and most of us have heard the old religious clichés that it is not about fun and games, not about entertainment, not about on and on and on and on… AND, their churches probably arent growing and they are probably not reaching people far from God.
Im not saying you put on a mask and perform a one-legged dance… I’m saying that if you are in front of people, you must ENGAGE them with what you are doing… If you are leading Praise and worship, doing a human video, playing an instrument, doing announcements, etc… If you are on the platform, YOU MUST ACT LIKE YOU WANT TO BE THERE! Also, you must SMILE and have some ENTHUSIASM!
ENTHUSIASM is the 1st Thing I look for when hiring staff or assigning leaders over a dept. We must be CONTAGIOUS and COMPELLING… Why? Jesus said so! That is enough for me!
We are attempting to HOLD THEIR ATTENTION or to CAPTIVATE them into GOD’S WORD or into the time of worship whether it be by song or drama and that is a mandate and the protocol from this point on at Oasis if you are going to take the platform for any reason because we are called and commissioned to reach the lost and compel people to come in and I take that very seriously… I hope that you will do the same!
Merry Christmas guys! Love you all greatly! Looking forward to a great Christmas Experience tomorrow night for those that are in the Oasis Family and for everyone, Have a great amazing week!!!!
Eric Camp for MS House District 111 