Raising Your Evangelistic Temperature

If a leader is going to raise the evangelistic temperature of their church they will first need to understand the three spheres of outreach:

• Level 1: These are people who know the pastor and the name of the new church.  This is accomplished through networking and the personal ministry of the pastor and their family.  The key concept here is MODELING.
• Level 2: These are people who are in contact with someone on the launch team.  This group is reached through relational evangelism and personal invitations from the church.  The key concept here is EQUIPPING.
• Level 3: These individuals have no contact with the pastor or people within the church.  This group is reached through a variety of awareness activities.  The key concept here is SOWING.

Understanding these spheres is just the beginning.  If leaders are going to stir up the evangelistic spirit of their church they need to develop comprehensive evangelistic systems addressing each of these spheres.  A system is a reproducible process that actualizes the operational values and convictions you hold dear in your church.  For example: As a leader what is the most common method you use to engage individuals in a spiritual conversation?  Once you have identified it, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Could this method be used by others or only you?
2. How long would it take for a person to learn this method?
3. Could a new believer easily use this method?
4. Could this method be taught by others?

If you can answer these questions then you are on your way to developing an evangelistic system in your community of faith.  If you can't, then the evangelistic temperature of your church is going to be pretty low. I am convinced that the pastors, leaders and churches in America need their evangelistic fires seriously stoked.  Over the summer I am committing this blog to the task of encouraging and resourcing leaders to raise the evangelistic temperature throughout their church. Who will join me is this task?

Comments

[mah]

Yes, yes, yes...

I agree that a system and methodology are key components that need to be thought through and should be such that we can clearly communicate them and reproduce them.

However, and perhaps even more critical, is ensuring that the motives behind the methods are also being examined and continually stoked by remembering the vision and the answers to the 'why are we doing this?' question. Understanding the spheres is certainly a part of that process.

Should be a fun summer : )

[Chris Workman]

You know, I don't have such a system, either personally or in the church. I have tried some systems that I found stilted and artificial feeling. I have adopted a way of naturally engaging people in spiritual conversation and, by asking questions, going where I think I need to go with them.

Having said that, I also see the value of having a teachable system. So, I'm interested in hearing about systems others may be using that are working well.

[Chuck Donald]

Good stuff, but I have similar notes from a Bill Hybels talk I heard in Fullerton California a few years ago --without the "planter" titles attached. Perhaps you just supernaturally expressed the same truth or perhaps you might want to credit him --especially the "temperature" stuff --I've heard him talk about that multiple times.

[2thsnd1]

Even though summer is over and I am late finding these posts, I am looking forward to reading the rest of them.