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This resource, called “Structures” is in the form of a 7-day mini seminar presented by “Everyday Evangelism”. Please subscribe to my E-zine for more Outreach tips. The links to the other days follow the article. Thank you so much for dropping by.
We personally are bombarded everyday with lots of people and activity. How do we stand above all this so others notice God is among them? How can we be so different that people stop and notice Jesus is calling them? How can our evangelism be relevant so people can understand that we are just like them, except for a life changing encounter with the risen Lord Jesus Christ? We need to be above the ‘noise of life’ so to speak. I believe we need to stand tall, especially in evangelism!
There are lots of ways to get noticed (in a good sense!), but the best by far is what I would call a ‘servant heart evangelism’. In our post modern society looking out for others is somewhat in the background. The media constantly tells us we ‘deserve it’. We are overwhelmed with messages of the importance of ourselves compared to others. Our world is often one of instant gratification. If it feels good, do it. I can understand this. If life is only our average of seventy plus years and nothing more, then nothing lasts. If the only meaning or purpose comes from us or those around us, hope can be shaky. The ‘eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die’ approach to life is entirely understandable.
For those who have a relationship with Jesus, things couldn’t be more different. What we do will go on. What we do and who we are goes beyond the things of earth. Who we are is bound up in our loving creator. That’s the essence of evangelism we bring to those we are around.
Knowing we get undeserved love from God gives us the strength to love the unlovable. Knowing we are number one in God’s eyes as the unique individual He created, transforms our need to be on top of the heap. Knowing our future is assured and our eternal home is not here enables us to be less caught up with the here and now. Knowing God has a plan for us and all His creation enables us to ‘Stand Tall’ in evangelism.
Let me give you an example. Having been profoundly affected by C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, I love science-fiction and fantasy. This led to my interest in Fantasy /Sci-Fi role-playing games and subsequent Christian ministry within that scene. When we first started we really did not know the scene (beyond our small group) and therefore had little in the way of a formal plan. What we did have was a group who loved role-playings games, a fledgling organization and a strong desire to bring role-players to Jesus. After looking at the various activities of the scene, we set a goal of attending four gaming conventions in the next twelve months.
At the first Convention we attended, God showed us the power of servant hood. After prize giving concluded at the end, the attendees broke up and headed down toward the local hotel to conclude with drinks into the evening. We had a great weekend and certainly felt our presence at this after party was a crucial element in our evangelism. However, we wanted to thank the organizers for the hard work they had put in throughout the weekend so we could play some great games. We found them in one of the classrooms (a school had been hired to host the Convention) vacuuming, putting furniture back in place for classes and generally cleaning the place so they could get the deposit back and be able to hire the venue again next year. We all had a great weekend (and had certainly contributed to filling the rubbish bins etc.) so asked if we could help. Because of this the school was cleaned and put back in place in a fraction of the time of the previous year. Tired organizers thanked us, going home or down to the post-Convention drinks much earlier than expected. Word spread as we looked to help with any tasks we could at each Convention we attended.
Don’t be pompous, condescending or ‘holier than thou’ in your evangelism. Servant heart evangelism comes from a genuine love (1 Corinthians 13). As this love is felt, those outside the Kingdom will see a difference that stands out. A difference that stands above all the other good things happening. A difference that ‘Stands Tall’ in evangelism.
May God bless you in all your endeavors.
Captain Andrew D. Carter Dip. Ev., CA.
“Everyday Evangelism”
www.everyday-evangelism.com.au
My parting thoughts for now:
Pick the primary people group you are engaging with. Write a list of times you felt you ‘Stood Tall’?Write down (under each instance) ways you can extend your ministry through them.
If you haven’t yet started, write a list of potential times you can see happen and potential extensions through them.
Links to the other days:
Day 1; Day 2; Day 3; Day 4; Day 5; Day 6; Day 7.
Link to other Resources.
I would like to give you many more thoughts on evangelism. Please subscribe to my free E-zine at the Top.
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