Last night, I had an epiphany. Well, several actually. We intended to kick off our new outreach program at Bethel using the GROW strategy. Justin worked excessively hard making copies, arranging the room, preparing a video, and of course praying about this new opportunity. Aside from he and I, two others showed up. We have twelve Sunday school classes, eight active deacons, and about 220 people attending worship. Two?
Times are hard, people are busy, some are under the weather, old methods don’t work, evangelism is scary… we talked about it all. We few brainstormed and prayed. And I had some significant thoughts about the situation…
The evangelistic temperature of a church begins to rise with its Pastor. That’s right, if there’s a weak link in the chain, it’s the leader. And it’s the other leaders alongside him. My own passion needs stirring. Like John Wesley, I need God to set me on fire and set me before the people so they can watch me burn with evangelistic fervor.
We need an evangelistic culture. I’m quite weary of hearing complaints about stuff. I hear people getting emotional about trivial matters, but few hearts seem to be breaking over the lost culture in which we live. Did you realize millions are speeding toward hell today? We can stop them with the good news of Christ, but we’re too busy arguing over silly issues and personal preferences.
We need some confidence boosting. Okay I admit, witnessing is hard. It’s hard for you, it’s hard for me, it’s hard for Billy Graham. Do you expect any different? I don’t think Jesus commissioned us to tell the whole world about Him… if it’s easy to do so. Nonetheless, the leadership of our church needs to help folks understand how to witness with confidence, which means…
- Providing resources such as videos, CD’s, tracts, books, etc.
- Providing training, but apparently not on Tuesday nights.
- Telling stories - sharpening each other by mutually inspiring experiences.
- Prayer, prayer, and more prayer for a brokenness about the lost.
We’re growing a bit. We’re adding a second service. We’re seeing visitors come, and return. Great. But these are things that are happening without much effort. We can’t get to the throne some day and say, “Well Lord, I didn’t do much, but growth happened anyway… where’s my crown?” No, I need to evangelize. It’s a need in my life. I can’t grow if I don’t share, and if I try to grow without sharing, I’ll become a grumpy, self-centered believer.
We must turn up the heat, increase our passion, and get involved. I, as a Pastor and Leader, promise to prayerfully find ways to encourage and equip. I won’t resort to guilt trips (except in the beginning of this article), but will instead challenge you to search your own heart. Are you sharing the faith? You’re His child, His ambassador, saved and covered by the gracious provision of the blood of Christ. You remain alive today for the primary purpose of bringing the nations into the white hot enjoyment of God’s glory by telling them about Jesus. Do you have a fever?
