How to Become an Evangelistic Church
When a local church is in synch with the Lord, it becomes like a soul-winning, disciple-making machine made up of many different parts. Each unique part contributes to the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
I would like to share with you some simple principles on how to become an evangelistic church.
1. Preach the Gospel. Make sure your messages are centered on the cross. Focus on God’s mercy through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. When you preach it, there will be power in your church for salvation, healing, and a victorious Christian life. Regularly give people an opportunity to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Create an environment where people want to invite their friends and family to come and hear the Good News about a God who forgives and gives abundant life.
2. Make healthy disciples. The early church continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers, and the Lord added to the church such as should be saved. These basic things help people to grow in their faith, be established in grace, and become healthy, stable, well-balanced Christians. Solid biblical teaching, opportunities for fellowship, the Lord’s Supper, and corporate prayer all contribute to healthy relationships and strong believers who can reach others for Jesus.
3. Focus on Jesus, not politics. We must keep our focus on Jesus if we are going to reach the world for Him. I heard Evangelist Luis Palau say, shortly before he went home to be with the Lord, that evangelists must stay above politics. He said if we side in with one political group or the other, we immediately turn off 50 percent of our potential audience. I believe the same can be said for the local church. Obviously, we do need to speak out concerning what is right and wrong, but if we are serious about reaching people, we need to quit alienating them with our political views. This is especially true in the toxic political environment in which we live today. Likewise, many other sideline issues are counter-productive to the Gospel. Stick with Jesus! He’s always right!
4. Pray regularly for the lost and for laborers to be sent to them. Christian believers are not automatically evangelistic, but the desire to evangelize will come as they connect with God in prayer. By praying for the lost and asking the Father to send workers, our hearts will change, and we will begin to care about those who do not know the Lord and will take action to reach them. Pray for the lost in your prayer meetings, small groups, children’s classes, and worship services, and encourage God’s people to pray for the lost in their private times.
5. Encourage witnessing. Being a witness is simply sharing what Jesus has done in your life. Effective witnessing flows out of a strong relationship with God. Be happy about Jesus! Enjoy your relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, and you will show the world that Jesus is alive.
Susan and I are praying for your church that it will be full of the life of God and that many will come to know the Lord Jesus through you. Be encouraged! You have great potential!