1. A Workshop for The Church of Christ At Ferguson Heights Evangelism in the 21 st Century

2. Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”.

3. True or False? Evangelism is a ministry of the Lord’s church.

4. Answer: False Evangelism is the ministry of the Lord’s church.

5. Evangelism is not a function of a select group in the church. Every ministry, function and objective should include intentional efforts at reaching the lost.

6. MINISTRY REORIENTATION

7. True or False? Evangelism is about baptizing the lost.

8. Answer: False While evangelism does entail baptizing the lost, the text emphasizes making “disciples.”

9. True or False? The church of Christ has experienced a decline in numbers.

10. Answer True: There are 708 fewer churches and 102,138 fewer members in the last 10 years. Christian Chronicle, February 2012

11. Evangelism is Reaching Sinners Retaining the Saved Restoring the Strays

12. The problem: “ Churches can lose their outward focus and become preoccupied with the perceived needs and desires of the members. The dollars spent and the time expended can quickly become focused on the demands of those inside the congregation.

13. When that takes place the church has become inwardly obsessed. It is no longer a Great Commission congregation.” Thom S. Rainer

14. Retaining The Saved “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” Hebrews 2:1

15. If the back door of a church is left wide open, it doesn’t matter how many people are coaxed to come in the front door – or the side door for that matter.” From Sticky Church by Larry Osborne

16. Restoring the Strays Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Galatians 6:1

17. (Luke 15:4) “What man of you having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety- nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?

18. What is Evangelism? Reaching Sinners Retaining the Saved Restoring the Strays

19. Discovering Evangelism “Best Practices” Effective evangelism requires understanding the mindset of those the church seeks to save.

20. CONSUMER MINDED Integration: (Will I/we be accepted?)

21. CONSUMER MINDED Information: (How can the church benefit me? My spouse? My Children?)

22. CONSUMER MINDED Inspiration: (Is the worship service engaging, exciting and encouraging?)

23. CONSUMER MINDED Integration – Will I/we be accepted? Information – How can the church benefit me? My spouse? My Children? Inspiration – Is the worship service engaging, exciting and encouraging?

24. “Research Indicates 75 – 90% of today’s church members joined because of a friend or relative they already knew in that church.” Dr. Charles Arn, President Church Growth, Inc. INTERGRATION: Relationship Formation

25. The Growing vs the Dying Church The key to church growth is to activate the general membership to be seekers of the lost… We will never be effective in reaching the lost until each member is convicted of their individual obligation to personally share their faith.”

26. RELATIONSHIP FORMATION People Connect People Programs Do Not

27. INFORMATION: (What’s in it for me?) The consumer is looking for a product/service/experience that will address some real issues in their lives.

28. Broken People Want to be part of a healthy church…

29. Healthy congregations grow the way God intends. Wayne Kilpatrick (Church Grew from 256 in 1973 to 1500 in 2000 Homewood Church of Christ, Birmingham, AL) Christian Chronicle: April 2013 Key Issue: Church Health

30. Features of Your Product/Service Examples: Children’s Ministry (Will my children’s needs be met?)

31. Product/Service Features - Benefits How will I/we be better off by being here? Marriage Ministry (Will we learn how to manage our marital problems?)

32. INFORMATION/CONSUMER “Satisfied Consumers” Many shy away from the “consumer” but the converted “consumer” becomes great advertising for others

33. Bible Examples: Luke 7:11-17 (The raising of the Widow’s Son) John 4:39 – 42 (The Woman at the Well) John 5:1-47 (Healing at the Pool of Bethesda)

34. Is the worship service engaging, exciting and encouraging? INSPIRATION:

35. Characteristics of Growing Churches Powerful Worship Services Visitor Follow-Up Small Group Ministry Serious Children’s Ministry From Clear Choices for Churches: Trends Among Growing and Dying Churches of Christ By John Ellas

36. Characteristic #1 Powerful Worship Services (Greater factor than the other three combined.)

37. LEADERSHIP ASSESSMENT & ACTIONS DONE “Comfort” Accommodations for Guests Designated Visitor/Guest Parking 24 Hr Visitor Follow Up (Phone Call) Informational Video/Food Pantry

38. Completed Assessment & Actions cont. Streamline Ministries/Focus on Core Areas Informational Meetings w/New Members Show & Not Tell Policy Guest Database for Future Events

39. IN THE WORKS Evangelism Focus through EVERY Ministry 8 Week -Evangelism Boot Camps Annual Evangelism Workshop Designated Guest Relations Area Greeters’ Desk Extension

40. BOOT CAMP Intensive (8 Week) Evangelism Training Program 10-15 Members per 8 week session Trainers emerge from sessions to lead future sessions

41. ABRAHAM RESCUED LOT Genesis 14:1-4 Have you rescued anyone?

42. DELINQUENT & FALLEN AWAY MEMBERS ? ? ? ?

43. OPENING A CAN OF WORMS YUCKY ITCHY CREEPY

44. USED AS BAIT WORMS CAN HELP YOU CATCH YOUR TARGET

45. WHY DO PEOPLE LEAVE? DISCOURAGED DISTRACTED DISCONNECTED DISILLUSIONED

46. RESTORATION PRINCIPLES EXAMINE SELF (attitude, tone, disposition, spirituality, etc…) EXEMPLIFY GODLINESS ENCOURAGE THE PERSON EXHORT THEM (to Love, Hope, Forgiveness, Reconciliation, etc….)

47. BE SOMEONE DELINQUENTS WILL MISS!! DO NOT DELAY TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION! DO NOT GO AFTER (Those who moved on to other congregations) Formality is your enemy Genuineness is your friend

48. REMEMBER DON’T PREACH! | REACH

49. With Exhortation Replace Condemnation

50. Wrong Motives for Restoration Improve Membership and/or Attendance numbers Increase Offering Prove a Point

51. SPIRITUAL MOTIVES (A SOUL IS A SOUL) Value the Person Even If They Don’t Offer Anything Value Reconciliation Value the Testimony to the Church and Community

52. “Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS” (Matthew 5:9) NOT THE PEACEKEEPERS

53. REFERENCE SCRIPTURES: 2 Timothy 4:11 James 5:19-20