reach-evangelistic-strategies

Developing A Church Growth Strategy

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 22:56:50 GMT

Developing A Church Growth Strategy

By Scott Wilkins, Founder, REACH Evangelistic Strategies, Inc.

Church Growth Strategies are a dime a dozen. Hundreds of books, magazines, periodicals, etc., contain the next great strategy that will “magically” grow your church overnight. I’m a church growth and evangelism strategist. I believe strongly in church growth and fulfilling the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ. I work with churches on a weekly basis designing evangelism strategies for church growth and development.

With all that said, one central imperative exists in my personal view of church growth: “it must be biblical.” Today, more and more churches incorporate a “watered-down” pragmatic gospel to attract unbelievers. Outreach and true church growth should never be anything less than a solid biblical foundation. Honoring God with the true gospel message without compromise or invalidity is paramount. A watered-down gospel produces “watered-down” followers who fail to understand the gospel imperative for Christian living. True church growth produces more than numbers, it produces disciples!

A growth strategy for church advancement is something every church should develop. Why is this so important? Let me share some reasons why developing a church growth strategy is vital for a consisted and growing church community.

God thinks strategically, so should you…

From the very beginning of time, God has had a plan, and He never strays away from nor alters His procedure. God is not a God of chaos, uncertainty, or direction-less thinking. His plan is perfect and is being carried out each passing day. Far too many churches exist in a chaotic state of plateau-ism and decline, with no direction or purpose. They go through the motions of basic church existence, but produce little, if any, fruit. Failure to plan is a plan to fail. Every pastor should develop an annual growth plan for his church family. This plan should include growth goals in areas such as evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, worship, and prayer, just to name a few. Remember, church growth is more than numbers, it’s growing believers to grow other believers. But if the believers don’t have a biblical action plan to follow, they will not grow as fruitful believers, nor will they reproduce other new believers. Sheep MUST be led; if not, they tend to wander and drift, many away from the flock all together. Shepherds must lead the flock with a biblical plan for growth and spiritual development.

Satan thinks strategically, so prepare for battle…

Many pastors start off in ministry with good intentions and wishful expectations. But when discouragement, lack of growth, internal struggles, and even personal depression sets in, well made plans often fall to the side. Satan operates in confusion, apathy, despondency, and chaos. He is a schemer who knows how to infiltrate the church and cause deep pain for the pastor and entire congregation. That’s why planning and strategies must be biblically based, set forth to grow the church spiritually, whereby helping to ward off the attacks of the enemy. Therefore, what we do strategically, with focused intentionality and purpose, keeps the main thing, the main thing. We don’t focus on the enemy’s plot to constantly create chaos; rather, we focus on growth, development, and spiritual advancement.

Be familiar with your target area…

Unfortunately, too many churches have a “we four and no more” mentality. They have become inward driven rather than outward driven. The Great Commission calls for us to move beyond the four walls of the church out into the fields that are ripe for harvest. Therefore, a good growth strategy will seek to analyze local demographics carefully, learning the needs of the community. A “so-called” growth strategy that looks only at the inward church and not outwardly will be destined for ultimate failure. You may experience some transfer growth, or an occasional child baptism through Vacation Bible School, but real conversion growth will be non-existent.

Develop an army of servant-minded ministers…

A good motto to adopt in your church should be “Every member a minister.” Most churches exist with about 10 faith people doing to work of about 100 or more. Every member needs a place of service in the body of Christ. Granted, not every member will serve. Encourage them, motivate them, and challenge them to serve, but don’t focus on the naysayers and no-showers! Take the ones who will truly serve and place them strategically. Teach them to “reproduce” themselves with like-minded people that they can disciple and train. Where church members are allowed to sit and soak, but not serve, the church’s growth strategy will be ineffective.

Make time to evaluate, re-think, and re-strategize as needed…

Word with what works for you, but if it’s not working, don’t accept failure and quit. Re-evaluate and retool, make changes where necessary, and go with what works for your church and its leadership. Every church is different. It has its own unique personality. What may be working for a neighbor church may not work for you. Remember, you’re two different churches. What works in the suburban church may not work for you in a rural community. Failure is not an option, so don’t let it get you down and halt your progress for church growth. Learn to be flexible and adaptable with your growth strategy. This takes time along with some trial and error. Adjust as needed to fulfill your calling and commissioning as a strong New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Creating An Evangelistic Climate In Your Church Setting

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 22:51:02 GMT

Creating An Evangelistic Climate In Your Church Setting

What is the evangelistic climate in your church? Are you warm and friendly to first time guests and visitors? Do you offer a gospel invitation at the conclusion of your worship service? Do you plan for evangelistic endeavors through the various ministries of your church? Do the unchurched in your local church community know that you care?

Most church members will readily say that reaching the harvest of lost souls is important. They will even go as far as to say that fulfilling the Great Commission is paramount for the church. However, the question remains, “Does your church have an evangelistic climate for growth and outreach?

How do you develop such a climate? Let me share five principles for developing an evangelistic climate in your church…

Principle 1: Learn to think like the unsaved

The longer a person is a Christian, the less likely they will think like the unsaved. Worse yet, if you’re a pastor, you’re even further away from the experiences of unbelievers. Your perspective and attitude will change the longer you’re a Christian. Obviously, this is not all bad. We as believers should always reflect the nature and character of Christ. And in doing so, we certainly don’t want to mimic the sinful behavior of un-Christ-likeness. However, to bridge the gap between the saved and non-saved, believers need to spend time with unbelievers. As followers of Christ with a commission to win the lost, we must learn the questions, needs, and objections of the unsaved in order to effectively communicate with them.

Think about the apostle, Matthew. After Jesus called Matthew to follow Him, he immediately threw a party and invited all his unsaved tax-collectors and friends. Why did publicans and sinners come to this banquet? Because they were the only kind of friends that Matthew had. This is an excellent example of relational evangelism. Matthew doesn’t invite them to church because he knows that they won’t come. However, he knows they all like to eat and go to parties, so he invites them to a banquet where he can introduce them to Jesus! REACH Evangelistic Strategies builds much of its effectiveness from building meaningful relationships with the lost. Your church needs to implement this important strategy today!

Principle 2: Learn to focus on other’s needs over your own

We live in a very egocentric society where “I, Me, Myself” comes first with most people. Unfortunately, the church is becoming more and more like this as well. Have you heard the phrase, “We four and no more?” Or “Come we or woe, our status is quo?” The church cannot become inward driven, nor can your witness. Jesus looked upon the “fields” as they were “white unto harvest.” He looked over the city of Jerusalem and “wept” for the people. When was the last time you wept over a lost soul? Better yet, when is the last time you put the needs of someone else above your own? The lost really don’t care how much you “say” you love them until you “show” them how much you truly love them! Ask God to place a lost person on your heart and begin reaching out to them with compassion, care, and grace, and watch God do a wonderful work of salvation in their heart through your compassionate concern for their needs.

Principle 3: Be familiar with your target community

Some churches are suburban, others urban, and others rural. What may work in a rural area may not work well in an urban or suburban area. Know your neighborhood, community, and target area. Jesus often tailored His approach to the particular individual He was witnessing to. What worked with Matthew and Zacheus (tax-collectors), may not have worked with Andrew and Simon Peter (Fishermen).

Servant models of evangelism are certainly a prime methodology for this type of outreach. Jesus had a servant’s heart, that’s one of the ways in which people were drawn to Him. When you are serving others it shows hospitality, kindness, and compassion for other’s needs. It also opens doors to gospel conversations. Look closely at your community and investigate areas where you and your church can penetrate with acts of hospitality and service.

Principle 4: Get out of the comfort zone

Churches and individual believers need to be “risk takers.” Take a risk in your community, in your workplace, and in your home (extended family). One of the reasons many churches die is because they are of the mentality of “we first,” not “other’s first.” Change is not easy, neither is reaching the harvest. If it were easy, all of our over 400,000 evangelical churches across America would be filled up this coming Sunday morning. But change is sometimes needed if you’re going to attract the lost and non-churched.

Be innovative, creative, and aggressive in your outreach efforts. Spend some money! I’m amazed at the large number of small churches that run less than 50 people on Sunday morning that have literally thousands of dollars in the bank, yet spend virtually nothing at all, especially on outreach and evangelism. Can you really put a “price” on a lost soul? Step out of your comfort zone .

Principle 5: Appeal to the masses

I have a good friend who is an avid fisherman. When he fishes, he will use 4-5 fishing poles at one time. His motto is, “the more hooks I use, the more fish I catch!” The same is true in evangelism. The more hooks you put into the harvest fields, the more lost people you will catch. Concerts, community events, mass mailings for special events, harvest day high attendance services, and servant evangelism projects in the local community, are just a few things you can do to attract the unchurched. Scratch where people itch, learn their needs, and be a witness that seeks to touch other’s lives for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Equipping believers for evangelism needs to be a priority for every church. Apply these five principles in your church and begin establishing a culture of outreach for your members.

Reaching the Lost Means Stepping Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 22:42:20 GMT

Reaching the Lost Means Stepping Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Reaching the lost is not an easy task for most believers. In fact, statistics show that over 99% of believers have never led a single person to faith in Jesus Christ. That’s heartbreaking considering the fact that we have the greatest news for mankind and that the message of salvation is the greatest message of hope for a lost world.

Why aren’t more Christians sharing their faith? Perhaps one of the greatest reasons is because you must step out of your comfort zone when sharing your faith with an unbeliever. To reach people for Christ, you (and your church) need to step outside of your comfort zone and learn to take some risks for the cause of Christ. Remember the words of Jesus in Luke 5:37, “ People don’t pour new wine into old wineskins .” Too often, we try to do just that. Yet Jesus warns us not to do such a foolish thing.

Yes, taking a risk can be scary, uncertain, and frightful. But it can also lead to tremendous success and victory. With this in mind, let me share some principles that will help you to step out of your comfort zone this week and boldly share your faith with your lost family member, neighbor, or friend.

Don’t worry about failure

Understanding that failure is a part of life should help you to realize that it should never stop you from stepping out of your comfort zone and sharing your faith in Christ. Remember, we are not commissioned to win every person we witness to, we are just commissioned to share the message of hope and salvation. Not every person will adhere to your words and witness. That’s okay. Even Jesus shared numerous times with people that refused to listen or except the gospel. Jesus even told His disciples that when people refused to hear, “brush off the dust from your sandals and move on” to the next encounter. The truth is, you NEVER fail when you attempt to share your faith. Just mentioning the name Jesus and the hope of eternal life is success in itself.

Churches and church leaders are often afraid to take risks because they are fearful of the consequences. But failure from stepping out of your comfort zone is not the worst that can happen. The worst is not doing anything at all! We learn from our mistakes, improve our conversation, planning, and progress, and make ourselves better in the process. Remember when Jesus called for Simon Peter to step out of the boat and walk on water? All the other disciples were too afraid, but Simon stepped out and walked on water. Perhaps you’re thinking, “Yes, he did step out, but he sank after just a few steps!” He did sink, but remember two glorious truths; he did obey and walk on water; and, Jesus was there to rescue him when he failed. He will do the same for you, if you’re obedient and take a risk.

Hold on to what doesn’t change

Stepping out of your comfort zone means change, that’s a given. However, there are some things that do not change when you share your faith, namely, the word of God. Methodologies come and go, but the message is unchanging, remember that. What may work for one person may not necessarily work for you. That’s okay. Some people are very bold in their faith and share the gospel conversation with ease. Others may be timid and shy, even fearful to open their mouth and speak the message of Christ. However, that same shy person can carry a gospel tract and lovingly place it in the hand of a friend or colleague. That same fearful person can serve in an evangelistic servant project in their community and show the love of Christ by their humble actions of hospitality. Be committed to the word of God that never changes. Let your methods flow with what works for you and your church and leave the results to the Lord and His word, the message of salvation!

Remember that you are never alone

As believers we must remind ourselves that we are never alone. Jesus said in Matthew’s gospel, “ And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. ” (Matt. 28:20, NIV) You never take a risk for Jesus by yourself. Jesus was there for Simon Peter when he stepped out of the boat, and Jesus will be with you when you step out of your comfort zone. Many times, I have tried to lead the churches where I served to do “out of the box” evangelistic endeavors that appeared on the outside to be risky. Some people in the church complained, “It cost too much to do that!” “We don’t have the manpower to do that!” “No body will show up for that event!” One such event was a city-wide evangelistic crusade. We raised over $75,000 to host the event, cover expenses for the guest speakers, and advertise the event throughout the city. Most of our people joined in and helped invite, pray, and serve before and during the crusade. Yes, some people complained, others refused to participate. You’ll always have some naysayers! But, when the time came for the crusade, thousands attended the 7-day event. Even more, dozens of people gave their hearts and lives to Jesus! When all was said and done, Jesus proved His presence with us every step of the way!

Job 8 reminds us of God’s presence and blessing when we are faithful to Him. “ But if you look to God and plead with the Almighty, if you are pure and upright, even now he will rouse himself on your behalf and restore you to your rightful place. Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be. ” (Job 8:5-7, NIV). God blesses the work of His people. You may begin with lowly, humble steps, but God will not only honor those steps of faith, He will also increase them.

I dare you to step out of your comfort zone this week and attempt to be a witness for Christ. In your home, your neighborhood, workplace, or wherever the Lord leads your steps. Take a risk, step out of the boat, and start walking on water with your faith and witness for Christ. Let God bring the harvest of souls to you as you faithfully serve as a soul-winner for the cause of Christ!