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Reach Out: Evangelism in Your Home Church |
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Written by Joe Randeen
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Reach Out
Matt. 4:19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." (NIV)
For the vast majority of us Christians (not ALL), when we first come to the faith we want to tell everyone about Jesus: how wonderful He is and how He can save YOU, too! Then something happens…we’re not sure what exactly what…maybe it’s the numerous rejections resulting from the fact that people just won’t fall down and worship Jesus at our very words of hope.
Granted, we are not all called to be evangelists, but we are all called to evangelize. One of the most over-looked and ripe-for-the-pickin’ places to evangelize is in our own churches. “What?,” you say! I can’t tell you how many times I have heard people say, “I visited that church a couple of times but no one ever talked to me, expect for the guy passing out the bulletin who said ‘welcome’.”
How much easier can it get? You’ve got a person hungry for God, who just stepped into your church. All you have to do is say, “hello” and offer your friendship. “What do you mean, offer them your friendship?” Invite them to lunch or to your home group; ask them if you could pray with them. Even if you’re scared out of your socks to talk to people about Jesus, this one you CAN do.
Here’s how it might play out:
You: Hi, I’m __________, what’s your name?
Visitor: Hi, my name is ___________.
You: I haven’t seen you before, is this your first time here?
Visitor: Actually, I’ve been here a couple of times before. I usually sit in the back.
You: Well, I’m glad you came to visit us again. If you’re not busy, would you like to come to lunch with us?
Visitor: Thanks for the invite, I can’t today.
You: Maybe next week?
Visitor: Maybe.
You: Here’s my phone number, if you want to get together for coffee or if you’re interested in coming to our home group, give me a call.
Visitor: Thanks, that sounds great. I’ll call you.
You: We usually sit over there (pointing) every Sunday. If you want to sit with us next Sunday, you’ll know where to find us.
Visitor: That’s very kind of you. Thanks. …………………… When’s your home group?
You: Wednesday nights at 7pm. Here’s the address.
Visitor: Wednesdays are good for me. Maybe I’ll see you there.
You: I hope so. ……. Glad to have met you __________. Look forward to seeing you on Wednesday and next Sunday.
Okay, so the dialogue may not play out that well. Some people are so broken that they come in late, sit in the back and leave early. But, if we don’t reach out we’ll never have a chance to demonstrate the love of Jesus.
Take a look around your church next Sunday and see if you notice someone you’ve never seen before. Or, try a risky move – sit somewhere else next Sunday. Most of us are so territorial in our churches. Live a little! Sit down somewhere new and meet someone new. When we sit in the same ol’ place, next to the same ol’ people week after week, we’ll never meet someone new. As a result you may never have the joy of sharing Christ’s love with another. It may be with someone who is not saved, someone new to the neighborhood, or maybe with an individual who is seeking out a place where they feel invited.
This is a low-bar entry level for evangelism. Give it a try.
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