The Twelve Laws of Building a Healthy Growing Ministry The Law of Focus

Growing churches recognize an outward focus on compassion and evangelism is essential to fulfill Christ’s command and requires them to identify and deploy those with the gift of evangelism and mercy into the community in the form of formal and informal ministries.

I. Objective of this Session

To motivate pastors to lead with an outward focus. To show pastors how to do this and recognize the normal slippage and drip that occurs in every church away from evangelism. To also encourage pastors that it will require strong leadership and accountability to keep the needs (both practical and spiritual) of those who do not belong to the church on the forefront of the church’s mind. To motivate pastors to lead with an outward focus. To show pastors how to do this and recognize the normal slippage and drip that occurs in every church away from evangelism. To also encourage pastors that it will require strong leadership and accountability to keep the needs (both practical and spiritual) of those who do not belong to the church on the forefront of the church’s mind.

II. Major Teaching Points

Luke 15

1 Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 1 Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? Luke 15:1-7 (NIV)

5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent… Luke 15:1-7 (NIV)

9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”… Luke 15:9-10 (NIV)

24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. Luke 15:24 (NIV)

II.Major Teaching Points a.How did Jesus feel about lost people? b.Pastors need to champion that lost people matter to God and they need to matter to us. c.The reality of heaven and hell. a.How did Jesus feel about lost people? b.Pastors need to champion that lost people matter to God and they need to matter to us. c.The reality of heaven and hell.

III. Research

The number one indicator of churches that have a consistent evangelistic outward focus and a steady stream of new believers is the identification of those with the gift of evangelism and a plan to deploy them. (Natural Church Growth, 34-35)

IV. Practical Implementation

a. Specific suggestions to identity those with the gift of evangelism in your church. –People who get excited when you talk about lost people. –People who constantly bring people to church. –People who volunteer for outreach projects. a. Specific suggestions to identity those with the gift of evangelism in your church. –People who get excited when you talk about lost people. –People who constantly bring people to church. –People who volunteer for outreach projects.

IV.Practical Implementation b. The need to make evangelism accessible to those with a wide variety of gifts. c. Capturing various seasons of the year when people are more open to hearing about Christ and using the arts as a means of evangelism. b. The need to make evangelism accessible to those with a wide variety of gifts. c. Capturing various seasons of the year when people are more open to hearing about Christ and using the arts as a means of evangelism.

IV.Practical Implementation d. The necessity in our day-to-day evangelism with mercy ministry to give a platform for the gospel. –Tackle the most difficult area of need in your community. –Do something to demonstrate the love of Christ. –Acts of mercy will create a platform for the Gospel to go out. d. The necessity in our day-to-day evangelism with mercy ministry to give a platform for the gospel. –Tackle the most difficult area of need in your community. –Do something to demonstrate the love of Christ. –Acts of mercy will create a platform for the Gospel to go out.

IV.Practical Implementation e.The pastor’s role: –Model it –Preach it –Champion it e.The pastor’s role: –Model it –Preach it –Champion it

V. Key Questions

1.How passionate are you about lost people? 2.Who are the people with the gift of evangelism in your church? 3.What are the biggest needs within your community? 4.How can your church be mobilized to meet those needs using a wide range of gifts to build the platform for evangelism? 1.How passionate are you about lost people? 2.Who are the people with the gift of evangelism in your church? 3.What are the biggest needs within your community? 4.How can your church be mobilized to meet those needs using a wide range of gifts to build the platform for evangelism?

VI. Helpful Resources/Tools

Going Public with Your Faith Audio series from Walk Thru the Bible

VII.Questions and Answers