EVANGELISM

1
EVANGELISM

• The Great Commission
• Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
  them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
  and of the Holy Ghost.
• Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
  have commanded you and lo, I am with you
  always, even unto the end of the world. Amen
• Matthew 2819-20

2
What is Evangelism?

• The winning or revival of personal commitments to
  Christ militant or crusading zeal (Webster)
• Gods act of working through believers empowered
  by the Holy Spirit to communicate the good news
  of Jesus Christ to every person and people group
  with the purpose to persuade the lost to come to
  salvation. (from Southern Baptist Evangelists)
• The act of one that seeks to convert others to
  the Christian faith. Soul winning, praying,
  seeing, witnessing and believing God for people
  to come to Christ. (Pastor Rose Wright-Scott)
• Reference
• But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail
  not and when thou art converted, strengthen thy
  brethren. Luke 2232
• Converted means to come back to your former firm
  stand.

3
The Evangelist

• The word Evangelist is used only three times in
  scripture. Ephesians 411 Acts 218 II Timothy
  45. Therefore, relatively little can be
  concluded about this persons role. Phillip, who
  planted churches, is called an Evangelist in Acts
  218, and Timothy who was instructed to do the
  work of an Evangelist in II Timothy 45
• The root meaning of Evangelist is to bring good
  tidings or to bring the Gospel message.
• In the New Testament, the Evangelist appears to
  have gone to unbelieving people, attempting to
  win them to Christ. Some people view the
  Evangelist as a particularly effective
  soul-winner.
• Soul-winning is the responsibility of all
  Christians regardless of their spiritual gifts,
  offices, or ministries.

4
Evangelism, Baptism, and Education

• The purpose of the church is to make disciples of
  all kinds of people. Those who are evangelized
  and converted should then be baptized, attesting
  to their identification with Christ and the local
  body of believers. The Great Commission serves
  to train disciples in Christian knowledge and for
  effective service. A church can not choose one
  aspect of its responsibility and neglect the
  others. The Great Commission is a simple command
  with three steps
• Evangelism Go ye therefore, and teach all
  nations.
• Baptism Baptizing them in the name of the
  Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
• Education Teaching them to observe all things
  whatsoever I have commanded you.

5
Evangelism

• After Jesus told the Apostles that He had
  received all authority, He then ordered them to
  go make disciples of all nations.
• A few questions that needs to be considered in
  order to understand the command to go is
• Who does this command apply to?
• Does it apply to all Christians?
• Did it apply to only the apostles?
• Does it only apply to ordained Ministers of the
  Gospel?
• The command to GO applies to all believers
  without exception!

6
Evangelism .Continued

• The Evangelist has a task that involves far more
  than just witnessing. Evangelism involves
  teaching the whole counsel of God or all that
  Christ has commanded. Equipping the saints for
  the work of the Ministry. To train and equip
  the rank-and-file Christians to do the work of
  the Ministry. The aim of this Ministry of
  Christian service it for the edifying of the body
  of Christ, this is, to build up the Church
  numerically and spiritually.

7
Baptism

• The second thing necessary is to baptize. The
  order of baptism followed by teaching is
  emphasized in the book of Acts. Then they that
  gladly received his word were baptized and the
  same day there were added unto them about three
  thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly
  in the apostles doctrine and fellowship and in
  the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts
  241-42

8
Baptism . . . . continued

• There are many reasons why baptism is important
• Baptism signifies a persons regeneration by the
  Holy Spirit.
• Baptism signifies a believers union with Christ
  in His death and resurrection.
• All the saving graces flow from Christs atoning
  death.
• Baptism signifies a Christians cleansing from
  sin.
• In Baptism the new believer publicly acknowledges
  his submission to Christs ownership and
  authority.
• Baptism in some circumstances is required for
  Church membership.
• Baptism signifies that union with Christ brings
  believers into a vital relationship with the
  three persons of the Godhead.
• When a person believes and is justified, he is
  adopted into Gods family.

9
Baptism . . . . Continued

• The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
• These three are one God, their exercise of
  authority is one for it is said, Baptizing
  them not in the names, but in the Name of the
  Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

10
Education

• The third thing necessary to disciple the nations
  is to teach them to observe all things that
  Christ has commanded.
• Jesus subdues the nations through the power of
  His Holy Spirit and through the preaching and
  teaching of His Word. The sharp sword is the
  word of GodThe Bible! Ephesians 617 Hebrews
  412 Revelation 116
• We disciple the nations by teaching them the
  truth as it is revealed in the Scriptures, and
  speaking the power of the Holy Spirit to make our
  teaching effective in those we try to instruct.
• Everything that can be known (this side of
  Heaven) regarding God, Christ, the law,
  salvation, the church, our estate and so on is
  revealed in the Bible.

11
Education . . . . Continued

• All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
  is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
  correction, for instruction in righteousness,
  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly
  equipped for every good work. II Timothy
  316-17
• When the church fails to teach all that Christ
  has commanded the result is disaster for the
  church and society.

12
Point To Consider In Evangelism Efforts

• USE THE GIFT OF EVANGELISM
• Have the leader be one who has the gift of
  evangelism. He or she will love it and inspire
  others by their passion and example.
• Reference
• And he gave some, apostles and some, prophets
  and some evangelists and some, pastors and
  teachers.
• For the perfecting of the saints, for the work
  of the ministry for the edifying of the body of
  Christ.
• Ephesians 411-12
• Use the Spiritual Gifts Assessment

13
Key Elements For Evangelism From Pastor Rose
Wright Scott

• Prayer
• Communication
• Individual spiritual growth
• Discover your core values
• Everyone owns the vision
• Build strong lay leadership
• Determine the needs and skills of the
  congregation
• Evaluate all current Ministries and programs
• Build on your strengths
• Identify potential new members
• Determine the needs of potential new members
• Hospitality
• Dynamic Worship
• Listen to hear God

14
Prayer

• Individual intentional prayer for the church
• Collective prayer for discernment
• Wednesday night Prayer Meetings

15
Effective Communication

• Take nothing for granted make no assumptions
• Be intentional, be repetitious
• Internal Communication
• Outline a detailed plan of communication to the
  congregation
• External communication
• Outline a detailed plan of communication to the
  community

16
Individual Spiritual Growth

• Have a sincere desire to become a disciple
• Spiritual gift discernment
• Willingness to use the spiritual gifts
• Listen for Gods call

17
Discover Your Core Values

• Values that are essential to your church
• The DNA of the ministry of the church
• The principals of the church
• The values that remain when the membership
  changes

18
Everyone Owns The Vision

• The vision is biblically based
• There is excitement about the vision
• The vision is realistic
• Everyone believes the vision can be accomplished
• Know The Melfield UCC Purpose Statement
• The purpose of Melfield United Church of Christ
  is to Worship God, to Preach the Gospel of Jesus
  Christ, and to Celebrate the Sacraments. This
  church is to realize and celebrate Christian
  Fellowship and Unity within and without these
  walls. We must render loving service toward
  humankind and strive for righteousness, justice
  and peace. We further believe that Jesus Christ
  is the Sole Head of the Church, the Son of the
  living God.

19
Build Strong Lay Leadership

• Encourage people to use their spiritual gifts
• Empower
• Equip

20
Determine The Needs and Skills of The
Congregation

• Survey the congregation to determine the needs
• Develop Ministries that meet the needs of the
  congregation
• Do a Spiritual Gifts assessment
• Utilize the gifts present for the basis of
  continued and new ministries

21
Evaluate All Current Ministries and Programs

• Evaluate everything that is done in the church
• Are programs relevant to the congregation or
  potential members?
• Do the Ministries address the needs of the
  congregation or potential members?
• Are the gifts of the members being used?

22
Build On Your Strengths

• Utilize gifts of the congregation
• Develop new Ministries based on your strengths
• Be open to new and different ideas for Ministry
• Establish realistic Ministry plans

23
Identify Potential New Members

• Use research data to determine who is in your
  area
• Identify the people you wish to attract
• Be specific
• Be honest
• Be realistic

24
Determine The Needs of New Members

• Survey visitors and new members to determine
• Spiritual needs
• Social needs

25
Hospitality

• Show radical extravagant hospitality
• Welcome visitors and new members
• Solicit participation
• Accept new ideas
• Mentor

26
Dynamic Worship

• Celebrate
• Educate
• Try new things, be flexible
• Embrace the Holy Spirit

27
Listen To Hear God

• God is still speaking
• Listen
• Hear
• Respond