Outreach Vs Evangelism

I was reading a great article in Outreach magazine. It was talking about how people use the words outreach and evangelism interchangeably. On this podcast I’ve been asking for your ideas on what you do to evangelize. Looking back, what I’ve been doing is asking for your outreach ideas.

Outreach is the Wii bowling league. Evangelism is not the prayer you do before you get started. It’s not the “movie night” you host at your church, or the regular Bible study on Wednesday night. Those actions are outreach. They are vehicles for you to bring people into your church (or other location) so they can meet you, and get to know you. You can start to build relationships through outreach. But outreach is not enough. You can feel good about paying for the person’s meal behind you in the drive through, but it’s not evangelism. It is a way to find something in common with people, and gently lead them to Christ.

Some define evangelism as “Joyfully sharing the good news of the sovereign love of God, and calling people to repentance, to personal faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, to active membership in the church, and to obedient service in the world.”

Outreach is a vital part of evangelism. We need to develop friends who are unchurched. We need to let them see that Christians are not as whacky as we are depicted on television. Outreach is a great tool for this, and it lays the groundwork for evangelism.

Without outreach, evangelism is like going up to a stranger and asking for their hand in marriage (before asking them on a date). It catches people off guard. It’s abrupt and assertive. On the other hand if you found someone you really like, you get along great, and you date for five years all of your friends will start to bug you and ask, “When are you going to get married (commitment)?. We worry about “forcing our beliefs” on someone, and end up doing outreach, outreach, outreach. It’s time to pop the question, “So what is your relationship with Jesus like?,” or “How do you feel about God?”

It’s tough pointing out to people that they are sinners and in need forgiveness. It might make them feel bad, and Satan will convince us to sit back and lay low. There is a difference between outreach and evangelism, and in the same way it makes no since to plant a garden and not harvest it, it makes no sense to perform outreach without evangelism.

Outreach Vs Evangelism is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

So many times we think we have to memorize a bunch of scriptures to be able to talk about God with people. We contemplate the worst case scenarios and we get scared about sharing our faith. Here is something you should ponder.

Answer this question:

What is your favorite Dessert?

(answer out loud or in your head, but answer the question).

Why?

If I was to answer this question I would say “Mitchell’s home made strawberry ice cream in Lakewood Ohio. There are actual chunks of strawberry in it, is so sweet and yummy. It doesn’t taste artificial at all, and ….(you get the picture)

Yet when we go to talk about God with people we meet, we get scared.  We don’t get worried about people asking for the recipe of our favorite dessert, but we get worried that we have to have the bible memorized before we can speak about our faith.

God Gets Bigger

As you get older, things from the past get smaller (like your high school or elementary school). However, as we get older and bigger God gets bigger as we have a better understanding of our faith. His mercy is so huge we can’t comprehend. Yet it is this awesome gift that we can’t find words to tell our friends.

What if you have more passion for ice cream than Christ? Then read the word, pray, and attend church on a regular basis. You will begin to see the world through his eyes, and your walk will become closer with God. Like your best friend, the more time you spend with them the better you understand each other, and develop a closer bond.

You didn’t have your favorite dessert memorized, and you don’t have to have the bible memorized to tell your friends about Christ.

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Whats Your Favorite Dessert? is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Wii Bowling League For Your Church

Today we get some email from a listener with some tips on a Wii Bowling League for your church.  These include:

1. Don’t bother personalizing the Wii characters.

2. You need at least two systems to have a league.

3. It takes around 4 hours with two lanes

4. Room for flexibility depending on how many games you bowl.

5. If needed you can charge to participate.

Personalize Your Thank You Notes

Technology is a great thing, and yes we can print directly on envelopes to send the through mail. This is fine in soe cases, but if you are sending a thank you note to a visitor you should hand write the enveloope (and if you have the handwriting the note as well). By taking the time (and effort) to hand write a note it shows its personalized, it’s not a form letter, and you took the time and effort to say thank you. We want to create a personalized experience for our guests so they can start a personalized experience with Christ.

T-shirt Of the Week is “Jesus – It’s just that Easy” from Kerusso. Show your faith to everyone around you.

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Personalized Thank You Notes is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

I got some great stats from the lovely people at kerusso.com who basically make the coolest t-shirts on the planet. They polled some of their customer and here is what they found.

98 Percent of those people wearing a christian t-shirt wanted their shirt to be noticed by unbelievers.

56.8 percent of the people wearing a shirt actually had an unbeliever ask about their shirt.

7.4 percent of the unbelievers made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as their savior immediately from the faith-apparel discussion with a Christian T-shirt wearer

Starting your own T-shirt ministry is easy, and a fun way to break the ice with people. Plus I know as I wear mine,  I act different as I’m now representing Christ. You don’t want to give giving someone the bird and swearing out the window in a “Faith Book” t-shirt.

Impressions magazine said the average T-shirt may be read as many as 3,000 times before it’s thrown away.  You can find Kerusso t-shirts in our Amazon Store.

Starting Stats From “How To Share Your Faith” book.

I found a GREAT book called “How To Share Your Faith.” Its a quick read, and just so down to earth I loved it. It was filled with great examples. great references, and it really has me thinking, and preparing myself to start sharing my faith.

It did have one very shocking statistic. What percentage of CHRISTIANS have lead another person to Christ. Want to take a guess?

95% – nope

75% – still to high

50% – I’m sorry you’ve over-bid

35% – Sadly you’re still to high.

15% – Close, but not there.

5% of Christians have lead another person to Christ.

So if you think “Well isn’t that what the preacher is for?” the answer is WRONG!. That’s what YOU are for. Christ called us all to go out and preach the gospel. Now before we get too depressed at the statistic. Let’s look at it another way.

Look at all the room for improvement! You can do it.

Music

Jerimae Yoder – Evidence (more music from Jerimae)

Start a T-Shirt Ministry is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Today I talk about an easy, inexpensive way to create an ice breaker. Take an address label and use your printer to have it say “I went to Church Today” (much like the “I voted today” stickers). This may be just the ice breaker to have someone ask, “What church do you go to?

Then be ready to provide a brief description of your church and then see if they ask for more information.

This was inspired by the Newsweek Article Stating the end of Christian America read full story. I think if we could all identify ourselves, we wouldn’t feel so alone. The media definitely wants us to feel like “outsiders” and to feel like we are an “idea” that has simply come and passed.

Bible Study Podcast

My friend Chris Christensen does the The Bible Study Podcast. The bible study podcast is just that. It is a podcast about what the bible says. It is not a political platform so if you are expecting a political theme, this is not the podcast for you. Yes, it is a Christian podcast. For more information go to http://thebiblestudypodcast.com

Music From Karmyn Tyler “Amazing Grace”

Karmyn Tyler is not only beautiful on the outside, but a tremendous person on the inside. I had the pleasure when my Fiance and I were in California a few years ago to attend the Tonight Show with Karmyn and some good friends.  Her voice is just amazing.

For more information about Karmyn, go to www.karmyntyler.com

photo by Michael D'Ambrosia

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I Went To Church Today is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Today I talk about the Book Just Walk Across the Room By Bill Hybels. It’s a great book, and I’ve already started to put some of the ideas into practice.  Here are some of my favorite points.

The Zone of the Unknown

Christ spoke with prostitutes, tax collectors (who were considered the lowest of the low), and strangers.  If Christ was here today, think of him starting up a conversation with Bernie Madoff.
If we just listen to our christian music, and hang out with out christian friends and attend our christian events, the church will die.

We Need To Be Prepared

Right now I’m getting ready to graduate college for the second time. I will be preparing answers that I’m sure I will be asked in job interviews. In the same way we need to think of the questions that the unchurched are going to ask us and be prepared. Bill points out that many times when we get asked about our faith we unleash an answer that is 45 minutes long and during which we take a total of two breaths.

The Jesus Christ Elevator Pitch

Thomas Edison has to sell the concept of the telephone. Not everyone got the idea. Likewise, there are times we will need to explain the benefits (“sell”) the idea of Christ. Bill says to get this ready in 100 words or less. This is as easy as thinking about your life before knowing Christ and after knowing Christ.  For me this is different ans I was raised in the church from day one. But none the less here is my answer to “Why do you follow Jesus?”

“I was raised in the church, so I’m not sure what life without Christ would be like, but I know that when times are hard, like when my Mom died at an early age, when I went through my divorce, my bankruptcy, and now getting my second degree at age 44, I never would it made it through any of these without the hope that Christ provides. I know God has a plan for me if I stay alert I will see his guidance. I’ve never known life without Christ, and I can’t imagine a life without him. ” (98 words).

Throw a “Matthew Party”

This is a part where you invite your unchurched friends, and your friends from church and you have fun. You get to know them. You understand them before trying to be understood. We just did this at my church. We had a “Remembering the 50′s” night where we listened to old music, had a pie throwing contest (poor pastor), and drank malts, and had french fires.  We had a fair number of people who had never graced our church show up. Using the techniques from the book, I was able to walk across the room and say “Hi, my name is Dave.”

Buy Just Walk Across the Room

You can get the Curriculum Kit for $66 at Amazon.com

You can get the book for $13 at Amazon.com

You can get the audio book at Audible for $17 (get the unabridged version)

This show originates from www.growyourhcurchshow.com

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Just Walk Across the Room Reviewed is a post from: Grow Your Church Show

Welcome to “episode zero” of the Grow Your Church Show. This is that boring show where you learn a little about the host, what inspired the show, and what to expect. With that in mind:

Dave Jackson

I’m the host. I’m 44 and I attend the Community Baptist Church of Tallmadge. I’m interested in growing my church, so that is one of the reasons I started it. I also think that a podcast can be a great way that Christians can have a “water cooler” to share ideas of that is and is not working at your church.

Same Message – Different Formats

I was at amazon.com and I saw where you can get the movie “Gone with the Wind” in the following formats:

1. The sound track
2. As a VHS tape
3. As a DVD
4. As a special 4 DVD package
5. As a 70th Anniversary edition on Blue Ray.

It’s the same movie, but its in different formats. Why? Because some people like VHS, some people like a DVD. So the company behind Gone with the Wind is delivering it in the formats that people want.

Likewise, one of the thoughts behind the “Grow Your Church” show is that the gospel of Jesus Christ will never change. However, we need to deliver it in formats that people want to consume it. This may be via podcast, via email, via contemporary service, via traditional service. It’s all the same message in different formats.

I hope you help us by sharing what is working (or not working) via email, phone, or by commenting on this blog, or by participating in our forums. If you don’t feel like doing any of those, I ask you to pray for this podcast. My goal is to harness the power of the Internet so we can all work together to further the message of Christ.

- Dave

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Same Message – Different Formats is a post from: Grow Your Church Show