But it isn’t enough. Growing in Jesus should always lead to going with Jesus on his mission. In other words, when a believer is maturing in faith, they should be increasing in evangelistic passion and activity. If the heart of discipleship is following Jesus, then we will go where our Savior is going. The Scriptures are crystal clear: Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).
So connect all of your discipleship ministry to your evangelistic efforts. Remind the believers in your church that growing in Jesus always means going with Jesus. Teach that discipleship and evangelism are marriage partners, and what God has joined together, let no one separate. Be sure that your spiritual training of children, teens and adults always includes equipping them to explain the hope they have found in Jesus (1 Peter 3:15) and prepare them to articulate their faith and share the gospel and their personal testimonies of faith.
Aspirational Hopes Over Intentional Planning
If you value anything in the church, it will demand thoughtful and intentional planning to make it happen. This is true with care of babies, children’s ministry, youth programs, small groups, recovery ministry … everything.
But when it comes to evangelism, we often just hope it will happen. The mantra is: “If we preach the Word of God and grow our people, then outreach will be a natural byproduct.” All evidence points to the contrary.
So we need to take action and partner with God in his missionary work right where we live. When the resurrected Jesus told his followers, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me,” we would expect the next words to be, “So in my power, I will go reach the world.” Instead, Jesus flipped the script and said, I have all the power, so you go. But he also assured them (and us), “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). Our Savior was clear: We are called to move into action. Natural outreach demands conviction, planning, tenacious prayer, action and then more action. This does not happen accidentally, but intentionally.
With eyes open and hearts impassioned by the Spirit of the Living God, let’s reverse these trends and see every church step into the revival of fresh evangelistic work in the name of Jesus and for his glory.
Organic Outreach International offers a free, multiyear monthly culture change curriculum. Visit OrganicOutreach.org, register, go to Outreach Influence Team resources, and use the “Infusion Agendas.” They come in a 60-minute (Full Meal). 30-minute (Cup of Coffee), and 15-minute (Shot of Espresso) versions.