Bullhorn Evangelism: Is There A Better Way?

Have you ever been dogged by someone that was excited about their faith?

I was in the New York City area a while back when I got off a subway overpass in Queens to the sound of some Spanish preaching Pentecostals who were taking turns preaching (yelling loudly more accurately) into a bullhorn. As one finished his turn he turned the mic over to the next with a high five and a chuckle.

Those guys were having a good time at what they were doing, but clearly they were not connecting with the crowd. My ears were nearly bleeding! The crowd was trying to ignore them and everyone wished they would unplug themselves and go home. They were overly aggressive and not connecting with the passing crowds.

I believe God will use any approach to sharing the Gospel we make available to him, but some approaches are awfully difficult for him to use!

Just below there another church was doing an outreach based on serving. They were washing cars, trucks – even a huge metro garbage truck pulled up to test the sincerity of the team’s faith! (Yes, they passed the test and made it spic and span!)

This was a study in contrasts. The group below the overpass was attracting a crowd, bit by bit, little by little, and making an impact one person at a time with no sound reinforcement other than to say, “We are showing Jesus’ love in a practical way…” (There were plenty of conversations that followed those introductory words.)

Before I became a Believer I met an occasional person who was downright excited about Christ – not many of them, but a few along the way. Those people got me thinking about the possibility of following Jesus. It began to occur to me that there was something out there that was worth giving my life for. Positive zeal is powerful and beautiful. Our zeal needs to be a lot like the oath doctors take upon graduation before they treat their first patient: “First, do no harm…!”

Reprinted by permission from Serve! by Steve Sjogren

Ever Tried To Run And Play In Flip Flops?

We received a gift of $400 for shoes for Fairborn Elementary School and another great couple added $300 to the gift. This enabled us to purchase 70 pairs of various sized shoes for the kids. My friend Cindy went on a shopping spree. She had a blast purchasing the shoes she thought her kids would like.

Fairborn Elementary is one of the lowest income schools in our area. The principals are a good kind of crazy, and really attempt to maintain an upbeat, creative fun environment for the kids and the teachers. They have a clothing shop at the school for the kids. When they see kids walking around in flip-flops, they know the kid probably needs a pair. Discreetly, they take the kids to the shop and they are able to pick out their own pair of shoes.

One friend who is just beginning to serve his community, made a passing comment, "Hey what we are doing is far more than just giving people food, clothing or bottles of water, we are meeting the real long term needs." Implication, "You guys are not really doing the stuff." When I hear comments like this I often smile and think, "Glad you are getting it... almost."

Such thinking really is so narrow... It takes all kinds of service to meet the demanding needs of our communities. Small things, to large things, short term, to long term.

We supply about 1500 people a month with needed groceries... and by the way they receive much more than just groceries. We endeavor to ensure our touches and prayers are personal and caring. People often weep, exclaim with gratitude, "Thank you!" One lady this week came back to receive this months groceries with a huge smile on her face. You see, last month we heard it was her birthday, so after she received her groceries we gave her a huge birthday cake, and the crowd joined in as we sang Happy Birthday to you. Making it personal and making a difference. I think so.

Another dad brings his three beautiful daughters to our mobile food pantry. We noticed, they are there because he can't read or write. Noticing, in a nonchalant way, we now give the paper work to the kids. The dad has the biggest warmest smile you'll ever see and is grateful for the supplies he receives.

Yep, we know what we do is just a touch, but we do know it takes many touches of kindness to open the heart to the good news.

Mother Teresa was once confronted by a skeptic, "Isn't what you are doing just a drop in the ocean." She replied, "Yes, but many drops fill the ocean."

Ever attempted to run and play in flip-flops?

I went to the school to take pictures for this coming weekends Big Spring Clean! Last week, as I was snapping pictures in the playground during the recess period, a kid runs up to me and asks, "Hey mister, will you tie my shoes?" I replied, "Sure." As I bent down to tie the smiling kids shoes I noticed, new shoes, no socks.(was wearing flip-flops now had shoes) I asked, "Hey did you get your new shoes from the school?" Grinning from ear to ear, he replied excitedly, "yep!" I finished tying is shoes, He said, "Thanks mister!," and ran off to play. In that moment I felt the Son shine in my heart.

You know, small touches aren't often long term need meeting events, but for that kid, and for that family it was a small thing, done with great love.

Who knows it may have even changed his world.

Reprinted by permission from Steve Sjogren ServeCoach.com

Mission of the Church

The church’s mission is to reach others for Christ and to help them become mature followers of Christ. When our plans or priorities conflict with that mission we must change. The mission statement Christ issued for his followers is actually quite simple, “Go and Make Disciples“. Somehow along the way it is easy for a body of believers to forget that mission.

Some get caught up in developing and carrying out a decades old great “master plan” that present day ministries must suffer to complete this plan. It is as if nothing is more important than following the plan. Unplanned opportunities to reach others for Christ are ignored in strict adherence to this great plan. What good is it to have a well-designed facility when there is no one to use the facilities?

Others get caught up in the functions of committees especially those that focus on the internal workings of the church that they lose sight of reaching others. Suddenly things like decorations and the appearance of the church become a higher priority than providing the necessary resources for outreach ministries. Keeping the church looking nice is good but what good is it when there is no one left to maintain the church?

For some adherence to traditions and maintaining the status quo becomes the primary focus. They become unwilling to move out of their comfort zone unaware that the unless the church is willing to adapt and change its method we will lose an entire generation. What good will our traditions do when no one is left to follow them?

I am reminded of something one of my seminary professors Dr. Roy Fish used to say. “The primary mission of the church is evangelism. Everything aspect and ministry of the church should be about evangelism, if it is not then we must change or jettison the things that are not.” What things must be changed or jettisoned from your church?

Reprinted by permission from The Dee Zone by D. E. Herrod http://thedeezone.wordpress.com/

Christmas is a perfect time to share your faith story

Take a couple of minutes to watch this video. I love the way Tony Stewart of lifechurch.tv has used relationships and holiday festivities to share why he loves Christmas.

What impressed me is the genuine concern that he has for his rugby teammates and the fact that he didn't burn his bridges by co-opting a Christmas party and turning it into a evangelistic service.

Some have called Tony's event a 'Matthew Party', but everyone who is passionate about seeing their friends move closer to a decision will be inspired at his candor and courage. Merry Christmas!

Friendliness: Tool or Toil

Comedian Alan King said, “Be friendly to everyone. Those who deserve it the least need it the most”.

Friendliness is a wonderful attribute that can open the door to a person’s heart. A cold personality is a detriment to evangelism. You can be spiritually confrontive if your facial expressions and body language convey warmth and love. Is friendliness an attribute that comes naturally to you or is it an effort?

I have experimented with friendliness to test its power to change the response that I receive when sharing God’s love. In almost every instance, people are more open to you when offer a friendly smile and a warm greeting.

A smile: a happy, honest, friendly and genuine smile. Go ahead, try it. Flash a smile. But let me warn you, it is contagious, it’s infectious. Just a simple smile can uplift someone’s day. It is a universal expression of happiness. Smiling is the first part of friendliness that plays an important role in personal evangelism.

We can each do our part to strengthen and build bridges between the church and our community. Never underestimate the power of friendliness, of a smile or of a positive attitude.

Next time you walk past a mother and child on the street, or pass an acquaintance in the hall, don’t be shy, try starting the infectious smiling disease. It doesn’t take any time or hardly any effort, but by smiling you are brightening someone’s day and beginning the building of a bridge of friendship between communities.

It all starts with a simple smile –the calling card of friendliness.

'How Not To Do Evangelism'

"Wise men learn from fools more than fools learn from wise men. For while wise men learn from the folly of fools, fools do not learn from the virtues of the wise." Cato

Before you undertake an outreach project to your community please watch this hilarious video. Do not make the same mistakes that our friends "Dumb and Dumber" have made.

Rate Your Church For Evangelism

Many churches and ministries profess to have an evangelistic mission. Far fewer are able to make it happen. It might be helpful to objectively assess how your church measures up by taking the following evangelism quiz.

(Give yourself one point for each positive response.)
____ Does your mission statement include the lost?
____ Do you pray for the lost in your community on a regular basis?
____ Is there leadership in place to carry out your vision for outreach?
____ Is part of your annual budget committed to outreach related activities?
____ Are personal evangelism techniques taught periodically?
____ Do teams from your church share Jesus on the streets?
____ Are salvations regularly counted and reported to the congregation?
____ Are your congregates encouraged to invite their friends to church?
____ Do you periodically hold services where visitors are welcomed?
____ Do your church leaders model invitational evangelism?
____ Does your church perform acts of kindness to show God’s love?
____ Are you known as a church that actively involves itself in the community?

SCORECARD: Maximum score is 12. If you responded positively to 6 or more questions you are on target to fulfilling the bible mandate to reach others with God’s love.

Eye of a Needle

Is it okay to be rich and still be devoted to God?

There is uncertainty in the mind of many Christians about being wealthy and being Christian. Many make the terms mutually exclusive. After all didn’t Jesus say that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God?

Rich is a relative term. Americans in poverty are wealthy compared to those in Third World countries. More importantly, I believe that a person can be wealthy and be devoted to God. It is a question of the heart.

If a person is devoted to the Lord then their heart is concerned with the things of the Spirit. God can use a wealthy person to fund ministries, missionaries, and churches. Also the wealthy can evangelize the wealthy in the marketplace like others could not.

As Christians we have assumed that because people have money that aren’t interested in God. They are, but we simply haven't created an expectation that people of financial substance will attend our churches.

That’s the part that interests me. Why should the majority of our evangelism efforts be directed primarily to the poor? Our soul winning teams typically visit the poor neighborhoods in south Minneapolis. Why not create a way for our churches to evangelize wealthy people?

That’s what I am working on right now. Stay tuned. I’ll keep you informed as my project unfolds.

It's All Relative

In preparation for Easter weekend, Annie and I have been inviting our relatives, neighbors and an acquaintance to join us for church. So far my sister and her husband are joining us for the Saturday evening service.

Like street evangelism, sharing Jesus with people you know requires prayer and preparation. Here are some thoughts on how to evangelize your friends, relatives, acquaintences, neighbors and coworkers.

Know the Scriptures. You can’t share the gospel if you don’t know it. Read the scriptures and understand them, and have a personal testimony to their truthfulness.

Build Solid Friendships. Though sharing the gospel with strangers can sometimes build friendships, sharing the gospel is more effective when you have friends that know you will remain whether or not they choose to accept Jesus. When you share the Lord with friends it shows them how important the gospel is to you.

Be an Example. Live the gospel to the very best of your ability. Be an example of God's love to your friends and neighbors, co-workers and colleagues. The true gospel involves caring for others, and living uprightly.

Open Your Mouth. Though being an example is important, it is just as important to start talking. Individuals may become interested in the gospel by how you live, but one way or another you’ve got to start telling them about the gospel. Share your convictions about the gospel, and invite those you share the gospel with to pray to know of its truthfulness. Share your testimony whenever you get the chance.

Be Led by the Spirit. When you share the gospel the Spirit must be present to confirm your testimony to the other person. It is the Spirit, not you, that convicts another person with the truth.

A Friendship Evangelism Story

I met Dan, a restaurateur, three years ago when cleaning their restaurant during a servant evangelism outing. My wife Annie and I like the Vietnamese food so well we have eaten there often since. We always compliment Dan and Becky on their food and leave generous tips for the wait staff.

Recently, after a delicious bowl of Pho Tai, Dan sat down at an empty table next to us and asked if I was a minister. As he opened his life to us, explaining the stress of being an Viet Nam war orphan sent to America and owning a small business, he asked how he could find peace through Jesus Christ.

What an awesome privilege it was leading Dan to the cross of salvation! He also agreed to be our guest at Living Word and to read the gospel material I delivered to him. We have a new friend and a brother in Christ.

So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; Mark 4:26

Thinking Outside the Flocks

Too often churches focus on its discipleship needs to the exclusion of outreach. While the Great Commandment is an essential component of Jesus’ mandate to the church, it would seem that churches need to place as much emphasis on the Great Commission and to think outside of the flocks.

What makes this so important is that the church in America is losing its influence. 3,500 to 4,000 churches are closing each year while, according to George Barna, the number of unchurched adults has increased by 92%. Ed Stetzer, in his book “Comeback Churches”, said that churches that are growing are doing so through evangelism.

When I pastored a small rural church in 1988, I honestly didn’t know how to do outreach. The fellowship I served had been birthed out of the Charismatic renewal and great emphasis was placed on the teaching ministry and revelation of the Word of God. Young Christians grew quickly and many went off to bible school and into the ministry.

What didn’t happen was evangelism. Like so many pastors, I encouraged the congregation to invite unsaved friends, but provided little training in relationship evangelism. Services were designed with the believer in mind. Outreach, although often a part of the vision statement, was not practiced locally.

Thank God things are changing. More resources are being made available. Men like Steve Sjogren have shown us that small acts of kindness draw people with God’s love. Bill Hybels of Willow Creek modeled friendship evangelism. Nick Kinn has trained hundreds of soul winners and has led hundreds of thousands to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ on the streets of our community.

As the return of Our Lord nears, pastors and church leaders are realizing that it takes more than just building a church and preaching a wonderful sermon. It takes thinking outside of the flocks.

If I Had a Hammer

The well-known motivational theorist, Abraham Maslow, once commented: "If the only tool you have is a hammer, you will see every problem as a nail." This applies to organizing for outreach ministry because each person approaches evangelism from a different motivation.

When reorganizing our Outreach Department in 2005 we wanted to align the ministry with our pastor's vision for evangelism. In his minibook "Winning Your World", Mac Hammond describes how to develop a personal style of evangelism custom tailored to your own personality, temperament and gifting.

Pastor's vision resulted in an organization that divides our efforts into several different types of outreach. They are servant evangelism, street witnessing, event evangelism, invitational evangelism and community outreach.

More and different tools of ministry mean more laborers for ministry. By creating several doorways of opportunity, more workers can respond to the Great Commission.

We've now created ministry opportunities for both the bold and confrontive as well as the shy and introverted. If folks are unavailable for week night events then weekends are an option. Families who want to serve together can reach out along with teens and singles.

I'll discuss these different types of outreach ministry in a future post. In the meanwhile, keep reaching out!

The March to a Million

My sidekick in the outreach ministry is Nick Kinn. Nick has been the staff evangelist at Living Word since 1986. In that time Nick has recruited, trained, equipped and mobilized hundreds of soul winners while building one of the most active street evangelism ministries in America.

In his book "Have You Heard the Good News" Nick shares his testimony and how easy it is to lead someone to the Lord.

I have never met anyone who is more passionate about winning souls. One summer afternoon Nick agreed to help me drag hoses to a local Wal-mart where our teams were staging a car wash. No sooner was I unloading the van but Nick began sharing Jesus with a young man outside the store. He wasn't much help setting up the outreach that day but we both basked in the knowledge that eternity had been altered for several new Christians.

Since the beginning of this ministry, Nick has seen over 900,000 souls come into the kingdom of God! This year his efforts will top one million souls. Pastor Mac recently announced that when we reach one million souls we will have a party.

The march to a million. It's reason to rejoice and we plan to shout!