“All right,” Jesus said, “It's time for a break. Come away, just you, and we’ll go somewhere lonely and private.” (Crowds of people were coming and going, and they didn't even have time to eat.)
So they went off privately in a boat to a deserted spot. And crowds saw them going, realized what was happening, hurried on foot from all the towns, and arrived there first. When Jesus got out of the boat, He saw a huge crowd and was deeply sorry for them because they were like a flock without a shepherd. So He started to teach them many things.”
Mark 6:30-34
Many churches beg people to attend their meetings. Jesus, however, didn't have the time of day to keep up with the demand for His meetings. Personal experience led Jesus to say that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few (Matthew 9:37).
In Mark 4, the crowd was so big Jesus had to climb unto a boat and use the natural
amphitheater to address them (Mark 4:1-2).
In Mark 3, the crowds pressed so close to Jesus that there was a real danger of being crushed to death (Mark 3:9).
In Mark 2, so many people gathered at Jesus’ home nobody could get near the door. Someone even cut a hole in the roof to get to Jesus (Mark 2:1-4).
The crowds loved Jesus because He was not afraid of confrontation or controversy. Most of the American church is paralyzed through fear of the culture, fear of man, fear of religious people, fear of losing status, fear of losing money, buildings, prestige, etc. And they won't speak to real issues, cast out demons, or pray for the sick. But if we do the works that Jesus did (casting out demons, healing the sick, and preaching the Gospel) and the “greater works” that He promised we would do (John 14:12), we will not have enough time to meet the demand.
If your church spends time and resources trying to get people to the building, you waste precious energy. Do the things Jesus did, and you will be building facilities to accommodate the people.