Despite what some say, I don't think that the days of having successful gospel meetings are gone. I do believe that the days when the local church could, with a minimum of effort, simply plan a meeting, invite a preacher to come and present lessons from God's word, have great numbers of people show up, and many responses to the invitation are definitely in the past. There are too many TV shows to watch, too many places to be entertained, and too many other things in which families are involved for them to come to a church service where the gospel is being preached-unless the local-church members personally invite and encourage them to attend. Today, it takes a greater effort on our part than it may have taken 20 or 30 years ago.

What can I do to help make our gospel meeting a success? There is no denying the fact that each member has responsibilities to the local church of which he/she is a member. Notice what the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, "from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:16) Everyone can't do everything, but there are some things that everyone can do. If each does his part, our meetings will be successful.

I can pray for the meeting. We can pray for the visiting preacher--ask God to help him do his job well, and pray that he will have selected the lessons that are most needed. Pray that just the right person will be there on the night that he presents a sermon appropriate for him. I can supplicate God on behalf of the other members, asking Him to aid them as they serve Him and others in the community. Be sure to pray for those whom you have invited and work to accomplish your prayer by presenting them with opportunities to attend. Perhaps you can invite them to your home for a meal; offer to pick them up at a certain time; or suggest going out after services for a cup of coffee, etc. Do what you can to encourage them to be present. Each person can approach our Creator's throne and ask Him to help us do His work.

I can be present each night of the meeting. Just think; if every member is present every night, there would be at least 100 at each service, not counting the visitors. Seeing such participation and zeal on the part of so many would encourage all the members. Remember what the Hebrews writer said, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24, 25) I have known members to invite someone from the community, and when that person came, the member who invited him wasn't there; the visitor never returned. Such speaks volumes about the Christian. Plan to be present at every service, to encourage others, to honor God, and to be taught and edified yourself.

I can participate during such an assembly. It was said of Ezra, "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel." (Ezra 7:10) We also need to prepare our hearts to receive God's word. Like the Bereans, we must search the Scriptures to be certain the truth is taught (Acts 17:11). Once we see that the principles taught are, without doubt, from God's Holy Book, we must apply them in our lives. I may need to make drastic changes; but nonetheless, I must either remove or add what is necessary to please the Father. Part of participating is to sing with the song leader and pray with the one leading in prayer. I must center my mind on all aspects of the worship so that the Lord will be pleased with my effort to serve Him and that all might be edified.

Remember, it is not what others can do; it's what I can do! Are you willing to do what you can to make the meeting a success? May God help us to work together-not against one another.