Creating an Evangelistic Culture

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Creating an Evangelistic Culture
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Creating an Evangelistic Culture

• Examining A New Methodology for Church Growth

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Introduction

• In years past, there have been many methods by
  which Christians and churches have been
  successful in fostering local church growth.
• As society around us evolves we must continue to
  study and adapt to the most effective ways to
  reach the lost with the gospel of Christ (1Cor.
  919-23).
• Colossians 45
• Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders,
  making the best use of time.
• What was effective 10, 20 or 50 years ago may not
  be effective now.

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Introduction

• The following information is based on analysis
  from what has been the most effective methods of
  evangelism in recent years.
• The numbers and facts that are presented in this
  lesson are based on the data that was gathered
  through this extensive study.

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Congregational Evangelism

• Congregational Evangelism calls upon every
  member to be fully and actively involved.
• This requires us to create a culture within the
  church that makes evangelism a part of our daily
  lives as opposed to limiting evangelism to
  qualified individuals and specific outreach
  programs.
• Ephesians 415-16
• Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to
  grow up in every way into him who is the head,
  into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and
  held together by every joint with which it is
  equipped, when each part is working properly,
  makes the body grow so that it builds itself up
  in love.

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Congregational Evangelism

• Regarding the process of establishing this
  culture, author Thom Rainer said it is like
  eating an elephant.
• So how do you eat an elephant?

ONE BITE AT A TIME!
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Congregational Evangelism

• We must remember that our part in saving
  someones soul is very minimal, but absolutely
  vital.
• God has entrusted us to share His plan.
• He will take care of the rest!

• Our Part

• God's Part

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Congregational Evangelism

• You probably dont realize how influential you
  are!

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Congregational Evangelism

• Creating this Culture of Congregational
  Evangelism must first begin with each member
  recognizing and harnessing their relationships
  with those who are lost.
• Matthew 513
• You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has
  lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be
  restored? It is no longer good for anything
  except to be thrown out and trampled under
  peoples feet.
• When we lose our flavor we become useless in the
  service of our Lord!

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Congregational Evangelism

• Have you ever been in the dark before (cant even
  see the hand in front of your face dark)?

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Congregational Evangelism

• Have you ever been in the dark before (cant even
  see the hand in front of your face dark)?

• And then you see something in the distance?

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Congregational Evangelism

• And as you get closer you realize it is a light
  that can lead you out of darkness?

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Congregational Evangelism

• Imagine all of our lights shining brightly in
  this community!

• Matthew 514-16
• You are the light of the world. A city set on a
  hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a
  lamp and put it under a basket but on a stand,
  and it gives light to all in the house. In the
  same way, let your light shine before others, so
  that they may see your good works and give glory
  to your Father who is in heaven.

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Focusing on Visitor Flow

• For congregational evangelism to be successful
  the church must be a family of believers where
  others can come to see them work, worship and
  teach the truth of the gospel without being
  attacked or ignored but made to feel comfortable.
• John 1334-35
• A new commandment I give to you, that you love
  one another just as I have loved you, you also
  are to love one another. By this all people will
  know that you are my disciples, if you have love
  for one another.

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Focusing on Visitor Flow

• Our society has shifted to more of a willingness
  to attend a church service rather than accept an
  invitation for a personal home bible study. Most
  people want to see what your church teaches and
  practices before they will ever agree to a study.

• How many of us would send our child to a school
  without first examining their facilities and
  credentials? Thats why we do walkthroughs!

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Focusing on Visitor Flow

• The method that was once used to create flow now
  lacks effectiveness.

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Focusing on Visitor Flow

• The new method focuses on creating flow before a
  study is presented.

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Focusing on Visitor Flow

• In focusing on visitor flow there are several
  things that we must emphasize for it to be
  effective
• Virtue Verification
• Natural Noise
• Visual Visits
• Warm Welcomes
• Cultural Cultivation
• Situation Studies
• Nurturing Nurseries

Colossians 45 Conduct yourselves wisely toward
outsiders, making the best use of time.
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Focusing on Visitor Flow

• In focusing on visitor flow there are several
  things that we must emphasize for it to be
  effective
• Virtue Verification
• Natural Noise
• Visual Visits
• Warm Welcomes
• Cultural Cultivation
• Situation Studies
• Nurturing Nurseries

It is vital that we live exemplary moral lives so
that others can verify that we are truly people
of the Bible. (Mt. 516 1 Pet. 313-16)
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Focusing on Visitor Flow

• In focusing on visitor flow there are several
  things that we must emphasize for it to be
  effective
• Virtue Verification
• Natural Noise
• Visual Visits
• Warm Welcomes
• Cultural Cultivation
• Situation Studies
• Nurturing Nurseries

The people of God need to start making some noise
about the Lord, His church and the joy that we
possess. (1 Thessalonians 18)
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Focusing on Visitor Flow

• In focusing on visitor flow there are several
  things that we must emphasize for it to be
  effective
• Virtue Verification
• Natural Noise
• Visual Visits
• Warm Welcomes
• Cultural Cultivation
• Situation Studies
• Nurturing Nurseries

We need to allow others to see New Testament
saints involved in their work and worship before
God, edifying and loving one another in the
assemblies planned. (1 Corinthians 14 23,26,33)
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Focusing on Visitor Flow

• In focusing on visitor flow there are several
  things that we must emphasize for it to be
  effective
• Virtue Verification
• Natural Noise
• Visual Visits
• Warm Welcomes
• Cultural Cultivation
• Situation Studies
• Nurturing Nurseries

We need to prepare our members to extend a warm
welcome to each and every one that takes the time
to show their interest in spiritual things by
visiting with us. (James 21-5)
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Focusing on Visitor Flow

• In focusing on visitor flow there are several
  things that we must emphasize for it to be
  effective
• Virtue Verification
• Natural Noise
• Visual Visits
• Warm Welcomes
• Cultural Cultivation
• Situation Studies
• Nurturing Nurseries

Once a prospect has been found, we must carefully
and cautiously help cultivate the relationship
that they have with God and His people. (Luke
811-15)
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Focusing on Visitor Flow

• In focusing on visitor flow there are several
  things that we must emphasize for it to be
  effective
• Virtue Verification
• Natural Noise
• Visual Visits
• Warm Welcomes
• Cultural Cultivation
• Situation Studies
• Nurturing Nurseries

We need to find out where our prospects are in
their life and then learn to start with them in a
study of the word of God at that place. (Heb.
512-14 Ax 830-35)
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Focusing on Visitor Flow

• In focusing on visitor flow there are several
  things that we must emphasize for it to be
  effective
• Virtue Verification
• Natural Noise
• Visual Visits
• Warm Welcomes
• Cultural Cultivation
• Situation Studies
• Nurturing Nurseries

We need to be equipped with a plan to help new
converts grow and become stronger in the faith as
they assemble with us and as we study with
them. (Matthew 2818-20 Ax 242)
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Focusing on Visitor Flow

• Make a gentle noise.

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Focusing on Visitor Flow

• Extend a gentle touch.

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Focusing on Visitor Flow

• Invite them to Come and see.

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Focusing on Visitor Flow

• Cultivate the situational studies.

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Focusing on Visitor Flow

• Convert their heart to the Lord.

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Focusing on Visitor Flow

• Statistics
• Extend 100 invitations
• 10 of that 100 will visit.
• 4 of those 10 will return for at least a second
  visit.
• 1 of those 4 will turn out to be a sincere
  seeker.
• The question is
• Are you willing to invite the 100 to find the 1
  that will a prospect for the gospel?

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Prospects vs. Projects

• As we track the flow of our guests we need to be
  able to distinguish as quickly as possible the
  difference between prospects and projects.
• A prospect is one who is a sincere seeker.
• A project can either be sincere or a seeker,
  but not both.
• A merely sincere person has a good heart but is
  honestly not looking to change for truth.
• A simple seeker is one who is always studying
  to know more but not willing to make necessarily
  life changes.

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Understanding Urbanization

• The reason for the changes in our society is the
  urbanization of our nation.
• We see 100s of people every day and never even
  make eye contact with them. This truth causes us
  to become unaware of the fact that many of these
  people are lost souls and need us to reach out
  and give them a gentle touch and a warm bridge of
  the love of the Lord.
• Sometimes we can feel like we dont have a chance
  to reach the masses, so we just do nothing at all.

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Understanding Urbanization

• With urbanization comes a generation of people
  with very limited biblical knowledge.
• This is quite different from just 50 years ago.

• What would happen if you tried to give a baby a
  large piece of meat?

While we try not to allow the word to be choked
out of those who hear it, we certainly should not
choke them with the word! (Heb. 514 1 Cor.
31-3)
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Understanding Urbanization

• Spiritual Abortion Killing a Prospect

Good Morning Reverend. How are you today?
The Bible says in Psalm 1119, Holy and Reverend
is HIS name and calling any man such a thing is
a sin.
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Understanding Urbanization

• Spiritual Abortion Killing a Prospect

Good Morning Reverend. How are you today?
Just call me Dan. Im doing great today and Im
very glad to see youve joined us to praise God
today.
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10 Essentials for Church Growth
1. Follow the Bible

• We need to make sure our visitors and prospects
  understand that we are only interested in using
  the Bible as our source of authority in
  EVERYTHING!
• 2 Timothy 42-4
• preach the word... for the time is coming when
  people will not endure sound teaching... and will
  turn away from listening to the truth and wander
  off into myths.
• Sincere seekers today will respect a church that
  boldly stands for truth.

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10 Essentials for Church Growth
2. Set High Standards of Commitment

• Sincere workers in the kingdom will appreciate
  the challenge of living with greater spiritual
  commitment.
• Luke 1433
• So therefore, any one of you who does not
  renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
• If we set the bar too low and only expect the
  lowest standard from others, that is all that we
  will get.
• Many churches are filled with those who do as
  little as they can to still be considered
  faithful and dedicated.

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10 Essentials for Church Growth
3. Maintain Strong Levels of Morality

• In a world that has been decaying morally, for
  many it seem hopeless to find people living
  virtuously.
• Moral living is not old-fashioned its
  God-fashioned!
• It will be by our good works that others will be
  led to glorify God (1 Peter 212)
• Matthew 516
• In the same way, let your light shine before
  others, so that they may see your good works and
  give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

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10 Essentials for Church Growth
4. Express a Loving, Enfolding Spirit

• Gods people should be recognized for their
  loving, caring spirit just as much as the truth
  they stand for.
• When we show no interest in others who come to
  seek a spiritual life, we are telling them that
  they are not important to us.
• We could be guilty of causing a prospect to lose
  their soul due to the lack of help and concern
  that we offer to them.
• John 1334-35

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10 Essentials for Church Growth
5. Calm, Steady, Visionary Leadership

• A growing church has leadership (eldership) that
  grows right along with it.
• The local church will only grow to the potential
  that the pastors provide.
• 1 Peter 52-3
• shepherd the flock of God that is among you,
  exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but
  willingly, as God would have you, not for
  shameful gain, but eagerly not domineering over
  those in your charge, but being examples to the
  flock.

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10 Essentials for Church Growth
6. Exciting, Enthusiastic Bible Classes

• Good On-time (early) teacher arrival Adequate
  preparation Material/Curriculum that is
  engaging Learning environment that is
  comfortable Teachers who want to teach.
• Bad Late arrival by the teacher Lack of
  preparation Dry, boring, outdated curriculum
  Stale learning environment Teachers who are only
  teaching because they feel like they have to.
• Colossians 323 heartily unto the Lord

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10 Essentials for Church Growth
7. Every Member Committed to Growth

• The concept of Congregational Evangelism
  accomplishes this effectively.
• Every part of the body of Christ is needed for
  the proper functioning of the whole unit.
• Ephesians 416
• from whom the whole body, joined and held
  together by every joint with which it is
  equipped, when each part is working properly,
  makes the body grow so that it builds itself up
  in love.

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10 Essentials for Church Growth
8. Reverent Edifying Assemblies

• For the visitor, it is our assembly that will be
  the first impression he/she will have.
• Our assemblies of praise and worship need to be
  prepared, reverent and joyful all at the same.
• Hebrews 1228-29
• Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a
  kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us
  offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence
  and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

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10 Essentials for Church Growth
9. Enthusiastic Efforts to Motivate Flow

• Growing churches are making some noise in their
  respective communities about their faith, their
  bible classes and praise worship assemblies.
• Churches that are experiencing guests each week
  are working to find effective ways to say come.
• Remember, for this type of evangelism
  (congregational) to be successful we must focus
  on effective ways to generate flow.

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10 Essentials for Church Growth
10. Pray for Wisdom the Lost

• We need to be offering prayers at every assembly
  for guidance wisdom on how to effectively reach
  the lost with Christs gospel.
• Colossians 42-3
• Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful
  in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray
  also for us, that God may open to us a door for
  the word, to declare the mystery of Christ...
• Pray that you will become a dedicated soul-winner!

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Growing vs. Swelling

• It is important to understand the difference
  between growing and swelling as far as church
  growth is concerned. Brother Harold Comer said
• When I speak about growth I am generally talking
  about conversions and increasing the population
  of heaven and not about creating bigger
  churches... The congregation may become larger
  with evangelism but increasing the innumerable
  multitude in heaven is the churchs task!...
• When you convert people there will also generally
  be transfers of converted people. I will refer to
  transfers as swelling. Transfers increase the
  size of the local congregation but that doesnt
  fulfill the task God gave you! When you teach or
  turn a lost person to God, thats growing!
• Big churches dont always mean working churches!

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Come and See!

• The most fundamental principle concerning
  congregational evangelism is that it cannot be
  successful unless someone extends an invitation
  by saying Come and see...
• It is founded upon Christs invitation found in
  Matthew 1128
• Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,
  and I will give you rest.
• It must also be understood that without one to
  proclaim the good news, no one can come!
• Romans 1014-15

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Come and See!

• Extending an invitation is not a new idea. It is
  a biblical principle through and through
• Matthew 1428-33 Peter walks on water
• Luke 1415-27 A table is prepared
• John 135-49 The disciples are called
• John 425-30 Samaritan woman
• Revelation 2217
• The Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let
  the one who hears say, Come. And let the one
  who is thirsty come let the one who desires take
  the water of life without price.

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Scriptural Values

• Offering spiritual benefits or scriptural
  values is probably the most effective method of
  extending an invitation
• You have wonderful children and we would be so
  excited to have them participate in our bible
  classes.
• I am sorry you are having to deal with that.
  Having and knowing the promises of truth from God
  is how I get through the tough times. Why dont
  you come by and meet with our church. It just
  might be what you need.
• Would you enjoy knowing that everything we say
  and do is founded upon the Bible?

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Scriptural Values

• Great Bible Classes
• Stories about the emphasis on the Bible in our
  classes.
• Stories on the effort that is put into teaching
  the Bible well.
• Stories about the compliments and impressions of
  others.
• Examples of what the kids can learn
• How children benefit personally from good Bible
  teaching.
• How good bible classes can benefit a family.
• Bible-Filled Sermons
• What the benefit of Bible sermons every Sunday
  does for you personally.

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Scriptural Values

• Benefits of prayer in your life
• How prayer has helped you in difficult times.
• The joy of being forgiven of your sins.
• The security of Gods continual presence.
• How looking toward Heaven helps
• Getting through the toughest things in life.
• Overcome bad habits.
• The joy of having 100s of mothers, fathers,
  brothers, sisters, and houses.

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Scriptural Values

• The protection I receive when I obey Gods moral
  restrictions.
• The weekly refreshment of sincere Bible-centered
  praise worship services.
• The excitement of having something worthwhile to
  live for what life with hope feels like.
• The benefits of local autonomy vs. centralized
  denominational control and interference.
• How singing instead of listening has hit me with
  a message I really needed to hear.

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Scriptural Values

• REMEMBER THESE WORDS
• If you are ever looking for (one of these
  values) I would like to recommend the church in
  _______________

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Responding to Visitors

• We need to be ready to show love, give a sense of
  importance and be accepting to every guest
  (regardless of their appearance or status).
• Take non-verbal messages seriously
• Location, appearance, design, cleanliness,
  colors, sign, parking lot, etc.
• First-time visitors are skeptical, suspicious and
  uncertain the smallest neglects will drive them
  away.
• Remember that visitor flow is essential in making
  congregational evangelism successful!

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Are We Here To Save Souls or Save Money!
Responding to Visitors

• In one visit, we must give our guests a reason to
  return
• Non-complex teaching (dont let them leave
  confused)
• Easy participation (e.g. song selection)
• Prepared leaders (preachers teachers)
• Quality facilities (convenience and comfort)
• Things that will be considered by guests
• Where to sit and park (open spaces and seating)
• When to arrive (greeters are expedient)
• First impression (5-8 minutes)

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Responding to Visitors

• Some problems that need to be solved
• We are so concerned with self, family and truth
  that we forget about the souls of others.
• We are committed to just about everything except
  seeing evangelism carried out.
• We fail to pay careful attention to opportunities
  to talk to people about the Lord (e.g. Religious
  Holidays).
• Often we do not ask God to guide us in what we
  say and do Remember we only plant and water,
  He gives the increase!
• Comfort zones Danger zones!

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Conclusion

• To Sum It All Up
• Congregational Evangelism requires all to
  participate.
• Facilities and Teaching needs to be up to or
  above par.
• Visitor Flow is the lifeblood of this
  methodology.
• Saying, Come and using Scriptural Values.
• 10 Essentials for Church Growth
• Prospects vs. Projects Searching for the
  Sincere Seeker.

Colossians 45 Conduct yourselves wisely toward
outsiders, making the best use of the time.