Comeback Churches – Intentional and Strategic Church Evangelism

Most Comeback Churches develop a more intentional and strategic evangelism process. “Comeback churches think and live evangelism.”

This is the phase we are about to enter into as a church. In many ways we already have with our worship services in the park this summer followed by a free lunch – which has been very intentionally and strategically evangelistic. But although we have had new people come every single Sunday this summer (10 consecutive Sundays now), following up with them and connecting them on a deeper level has been a struggle. (I think this is actually what the next chapter is about). And transitioning from summer to fall (outside to inside) is going to take some very strategic and careful implementation.

But this summer is just a preview of what’s to come. The theme for the upcoming year (Sept – May) is “Reach Wider” in which I hope that we will become much more intentional and strategic in reaching beyond our walls into our community, homes, workplaces, and relational networks to bring lost ones to Jesus. I have waited for this time since I first came here a year and a half ago. But I knew we needed to be able to “Go Deeper” (last year’s theme) in our own relationships with God and each other before we could begin to reach wider. But now is the time. The harvest is great (as we have already seen this summer), the workers are few (but increasing) and I am praying to the Lord of the harvest to bring more and more likeminded workers to reap the harvest (Mt. 9:35-38).

This chapter explores 7 Principles for implementing more intentional and strategic church evangelism:

1. The greatest motivation for evangelism is our own relationship with God, compelling us to love those he loves. Comeback pastors are able to cast a compelling vision for outreach that is shared by the leadership and then by the congregation.

We have really just begun with this, but the really exciting thing for me is that our leadership is really starting to get it and that is starting to have a “trickle-down” effect on the rest of the congregation. Much of the congregation gets it on its own, but having the leadership in tune with the vision is critical for getting the rest of the congregation on board. There are certain people who will always question the authority and vision of the pastor – for whatever reason they will not get on board until they see that others they respect are on board.

2. In order to train people to “go and tell” we will need to teach them to live like Jesus – to live like a messenger of God in this world.

The pastor must cast a compelling vision for outreach. This is where I’m still a bit conflicted and undecided on how best to “reach wider” – as far as how to best align preaching, teaching, small groups, and outreach efforts for this common goal. Every time I think I’ve come to a decision, I question it and waiver a bit longer. It’s a critical decision when it comes to choosing curriculum and materials particularly for small groups and whatever else we offer.

3. Organize for evangelism using multiple methods.

Evangelism isn’t just telling the Gospel, but being the Gospel and doing the Gospel. In other words, it isn’t enough that the church preach the Gospel. It’s members must live the Gospel.

4. Comeback churches have learned that it takes a whole church to win a community, but it takes a leader to help them do so.

Leaders must model evangelism for their church, train them to do likewise and supply them with resources that enable them to do so.

5. Comeback churches know that the whole church has to embrace the mandate for evangelism. Everyone can be involved as a pray-er, bringer, and/or teller and should be trained and mobilized in one or more of these areas.

This is where I hope to get to starting next month. It would be totally awesome if our older generations caught the fire and saw their evangelistic ministry as praying for the hearts and souls of people in our community. It would be totally awesome if our men caught fire and started organizing strategic outreaches to bring their friends and co-workers to Christ. It would be totally awesome if our children caught fire and started telling their friends about Jesus. I am really hopeful for this year. I think we are going to see a lot of numeric and spiritual growth.

6. Comeback churches said that creating an environment in which spontaneous and planned evangelism can take place is a key.

Here I quote:

“Being intentional and moving outward cannot be overemphasized! The main reason a church does not grow – are you ready for this? – is that it doesn’t want to grow. Most people who regularly attend smaller churches have their concerns about the ‘church getting too big.’ ‘Besides,’ someone will say, ‘if the church grows, my family and I will get lost in the numbers, and we won’t have as much say in the future direction of the church.’” (106)

 BINGO! I have actually heard almost this exact same thing from someone and I sense that it is an underlying fear of several others. I’m not a “BIG CHURCH” guy. I don’t need a big church to feel important, satisfied, or sufficient. In fact, I’ve got a lot of issues with the way a lot of bigger churches do things (or don’t do them). But I am a “BIG JESUS” guy and I know that there are a lot of unreached people in our community that God really loves and cares about. And if He does, than I should too. In fact, He commands it:

So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. (Luke 14:23, NLT)

7. Comeback churches recognized, purposefully planned for, and utilized “doors of entry” to the church.

This means having more than one door into the church (i.e. Sunday morning). Men’s & women’s groups, house groups, children & youth programs, special events, etc. can and should be utilized as entry points for people who don’t know God. So far, Sunday has been our main entry point (but it’s Sunday in the park!), but that is changing and will continue to evolve and grow into something beautiful.

The bottom line is evangelistic growth doesn’t just happen. You have to be intentional. You have to plan. You have to strategize. You have to always be thinking about the ones who aren’t here and why. And more than anything it takes prayer because we can have all the good intentions in the world – tell until we’re blue in the face and bring until the place is packed - but ultimately it is the Holy Spirit that must bring them home.