Pastor, you have a remarkable privilege to address a group of people each and every week and influence their life for growth in Jesus.
Every time I step into a pulpit, I recognize that responsibility and realize that my words will be empowered by the Spirit of God to change people.
From the front platform, pulpit, or stage, you can coach a passion for evangelism in the congregation, or even call people to respond to what God is doing in their life.
Over the next few days, I want to share with you a new series:
5 Ways a Pastor can raise the Evangelistic Temperature of the Congregation.
Key #1 Share Personal Evangelism Experience
In 3 Keys to Ignite the Evangelism Passion of a Congregation, I encourage pastors to tell their own stories of personal evangelism.
Raw stories about conversations, successes, failure.
Tell them regularly.
Hmmm, I don’t have any stories.
If you are like many pastors, you may have very few stories to tell.
Reese’s research in Unbinding the Gospel found that many pastors have no personal experience with evangelism (Reese, 9).
The footnote explains that 10 out of 60 denominational seminaries in mainline denominations require even half a course in evangelism for graduation. The other half of the course is often paired with stewardship (p. 22).
Hmmm, I don’t have time. . . .
I know it’s not easy.
In this video (Can Pastors find time for Evangelism?) Pastor Richard White talks about his own struggles to find time as an evangelist.
Pastors have so many responsibilities that evangelism often gets overlooked for easier responsibilities. Particularly solo pastors that are doing everything from the weekly bulletin, visitation, weddings, funerals, and fixing the leaking toilets.
How do I grow in this area?
Let me suggest some action steps for you:
- Make a list of 5 people that you are actively seeking to influence for Christ.
- If you can’t fill the list, what can you do this month to change that?
- If you can fill the list, pray for each one and ask God to give you a chance to talk with them more this week.
- Make a list of the conversations you had in the last 10 days with non-Christians about their journey towards Christ.
- Read
If you would like a 30 day personal coaching plan in personal evangelism during the next month, contact me via email our contact page. Consider using some of your study leave money for this.
Stay tuned for the next part in our series, 5 Ways a Pastor can raise the Evangelistic Temperature of the Congregation.
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