We will be with our family again today–our eighth different family reunion location in eight weeks. Over the past seven weeks we have visited and worshipped with our brothers and sisters in Tulsa, Lexington, Nashville, McAlester, Solola, Antigua, and Guatemala City. Except for Jan’s preference for English-speaking worship, each week has been a unique and …
Category Archives: Evangelism
Victor and Timotea
Today I share a story from our 2008 experiences in Guatemala. “Victor and Timotea helped us distribute flyers this week, inviting people to the conference and fiesta on the weekend, and inviting the children to VBS this week. I write about Victor and Timotea because they are ordinary, but extraordinary. “I sat and talked to …
Evangelism 5-4-3-2-1
I believe most ministers want to be evangelistic, want to see the church grow, want to see people brought to Christ. I believe that evangelism is a goal of most churches. In my experience, most Christians are thrilled when people are saved and pleased when the church grows. I believe most church leaders believe evangelism …
Evangelism
Note: I am writing to add to the conversation on Missional Outreach Network (www.missionaloutreachnetwork.com). The conversation to this point includes a blog by M. Scott Boren, “What Missional Evangelism is Not,” a blog by James Nored, “What Missional Evangelism is NOT—and what it should be”, and a blog by Miguel Labrador, “The Gospel ‘Presented’ in …
An Open Door
Many churches in our nation have an unrecognized, unused opportunity for evangelism not far from their front door. There is a place where the gospel can be preached regularly to a captive audience. That place is the prisons and jails of our nation. There are more people in prison in our nation than ever before. …
Not By Our Power!
Listen to the words of Zechariah 4:6: “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of Jehovah unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts.” This verse was impressed upon me when I saw it posted above the stage in the chapel …
His Eternal Plan–Part 2
Note: This is a continuation of thoughts and reflections which were introduced in a previous blog. A church growth survey revealed that the difference between church stagnation and church growth was minimal. In fact, four to five personal evangelistic Bible studies per year (per 100 members) can make the difference between declining or growing. In …
His Eternal Plan–Part 1
Last Tuesday, I was able to spend a little time with my good friend and brother in Christ, Jerry Tallman. Jerry is an evangelist at heart. During my years of ministry in Michigan, Jerry was my friend and sharpener (Solomon referred to it as “iron to iron”). We met almost every month at the area …
Missional Outreach: Evangelism in the Latin American Churches
Yesterday I wrote about leadership development using the phrase: “missional inreach.” The phrase may sound strange to our ears, because it connects missional with internal church dynamics. I believe there is a sense in which missional outreach efforts begin with and are based on effective missional inreach efforts. The church which honors God’s purpose and …
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Sharing the Gospel: Prayer and Conversation “Starters”
At the conclusion of Sunday’s sermon, I asked those who wanted to commit to go forth into the world with the spirit of Jesus to raise their hands. I also asked those who would prayerfully seek Jesus’ power so they could touch the lives of others to raise their hands. I would guess that at …
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