Hi Living Hope,
A critic approached preacher D.L. Moody and said, “I don’t like the way you do evangelism.” So, D. L Moody asked her, “How do you do evangelism?” The woman replied, “Well, I don’t.” D.L Moody then pointedly said, “Well, Madam, I like my way of doing it better than your way of not doing it.”
I suppose there could be methods of evangelism that could make it harder for people to come to Christ. There could be ways that misrepresent Christ, or it would be best to not do at all. But Moody’s point seems to be that we can’t be too critical of someone’s method of evangelism if we make no effort to reach the lost for Christ ourselves.
I have enjoyed leading the local outreach team these past two years. It is a great team to serve alongside of in that time. Not only is there a deep concern for reaching the lost among the team as well as people who faithfully carry out the events in excellent fashion, but I love their willingness to try different ways to reach our community for Christ.
For example, March Madness was a hit and is on the schedule again for next spring. The team also walked around the church neighborhood to pass out easter bags that included an invitation to attend our Sunday services. It was encouraging to see a neighbor visit us after that distribution.
The team wanted to reach the bikers riding into Laconia for bike week, so they set up a hot dog stand on a rainy Saturday. A dozen bikers stopped by for the free hot dog lunch and hung around as they ate their lunch and talked with a few of the several people from the church who showed up to help. What a great turn out by this church family! Thanks to all of you who helped!
There were many other “ways they did evangelism” this past year and while the results of those efforts aren’t always noticeable, I like their way of doing it better than not doing it at all. Consider how you can be involved in future events to reach our community.
I am excited about Ethan and Victoria Brown who are now leading the local outreach team. They have a great vision for this ministry and like the others on the team, have a deep compassion for the lost and are willing to try different ways to reach this community with the gospel.
Recently, the local outreach team spent time together reflecting on these words in Colossians 4. “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:3-6).
Pray through these verses: “God I ask that you open a door with ______.”
“Lord help me to speak the gospel with clarity when_________”
“Lord give me wisdom as I share with _________” “May I see opportunities….”
“Lord, may my conversation be full of grace….”
Blessings, Pastor Brian