By Dave Smith

I. The Wrong Motives

A. Some churches are in the bus ministry just because someone donated a bus to them.

B. Some churches are in the bus ministry because some influential member has demanded they be in it.

C. Some pastors are in the bus ministry because their pastor friends would look down on them if they got out

D. Some churches got in the bus ministry because it was the popular thing to do. This certainly is not the case today, as the bus ministry is less popular today than ever before

E. Some churches are in the bus ministry because they feel their church should do something to help poor people (social gospel).

F. Some churches are in the bus ministry as a way to increase their attendance figures. Attendance is the sole motivating factor.

II. The Right Motives

A. The right motive for getting in the bus ministry is to reach souls with the gospel. The byproduct will be church growth.

B. Consider the church at Jerusalem as they got burdened for souls

1. Acts 1:15 – 120 in upper room
2. Acts 2:41 – 3000 saved on day of Pentecost
3. Acts 2:47 – Lord added daily such as should be saved
4. Acts 4:1-4 – 5000 men saved
5. Acts 4:32 – a multitude saved
6. Acts 5:14 – multitudes saved
7. Acts 6:1 – multiplied
8. Acts 6:7 – multiplied greatly

C. Make sure your motive is right so God can bless your ministry

This article may not be written by an Apostolic author, but it contains many excellent principles and concepts that can be adapted to most churches. As the old saying goes, “Eat the meat. Throw away the bones.”