attracting newcomers

"The primary challenge is not changing Sunday; it’s changing what we do the remaining six days of the week. Many congregations have discovered that the more time their congregations spend in the community; the more the community visits the church. This is the heart of the Community In Motion Challenge. We are challenging all the ministries in the Mid-South District to make loving God and loving their community a top priority. We believe that as our ministries become involved in the community through meaningful service, they will begin to experience an increase in people visiting their church." (Rev. Todd Jones)
I applaud our District for encouraging "simple acts of service" (and not changing the Divine Service) as a forgotten key to reaching the lost. We say it every time someone is born from above in Holy Baptism: let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.