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How to get more involved in church

evangelist6589

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
That's what I'm talking about - being witnesses of Christ Jesus, sharing the gospel with people. If your church does not do this then wouldn't they be a dead church?

Well they encourage people to do it, and they have VBS. But as far as getting involved in major events in the area where lots of lost people attend, they do not.
 

Martin Marprelate

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
I am certainly not going to criticize your church, never having visited it.
What I suggest is that you make your home there, ask if there's anything you can do in the place, and when you have become a well-accepted person in the church, you can maybe suggest some form of outreach.

But if you push for something that you want from day one and never offer to do anything else, the leadership may reasonably suppose that you are a trouble-maker.

Be patient!
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
Well they encourage people to do it, and they have VBS. But as far as getting involved in major events in the area where lots of lost people attend, they do not.
Different churches reach out in different ways. We are not called to attend major events in order to evangelize (although this is certainly not a bad idea). We are called, as we journey through life (and church life together) to disciple people.

I'm not saying that you have to get a bunch of people to go, or even that you have to have a program at all in order to evangelize. I am saying that you need to have the backing of your church because it is under your church that you will minister (you are a member and representative of your local church body, and under that authority when it comes to discipline and discipleship). Talk to them about your desire to witness at these events. Let them get together and choose which tracts, if any, should be used. Even if none can go with you, they can pray for you and at least evaluate your message and materials. And abide by the decision of the church.
 

evangelist6589

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Different churches reach out in different ways. We are not called to attend major events in order to evangelize (although this is certainly not a bad idea). We are called, as we journey through life (and church life together) to disciple people.

I'm not saying that you have to get a bunch of people to go, or even that you have to have a program at all in order to evangelize. I am saying that you need to have the backing of your church because it is under your church that you will minister (you are a member and representative of your local church body, and under that authority when it comes to discipline and discipleship). Talk to them about your desire to witness at these events. Let them get together and choose which tracts, if any, should be used. Even if none can go with you, they can pray for you and at least evaluate your message and materials. And abide by the decision of the church.

Then they may not be aware of the tracts that I use! I use lots of tracts from WOTM and Tract Planet.com. I am not against tracts from Grace To You, Mike Gendrin, and others, but its cheaper and I think the tracts from the ministries that I use are better. They are also not big on tracts, I mean they have a few, but not tract wall or anything. My parents church is better with evangelism, but they are out of state. Besides even that church has their weaknesses and their strengths.
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
Then they may not be aware of the tracts that I use! I use lots of tracts from WOTM and Tract Planet.com. I am not against tracts from Grace To You, Mike Gendrin, and others, but its cheaper and I think the tracts from the ministries that I use are better. They are also not big on tracts, I mean they have a few, but not tract wall or anything. My parents church is better with evangelism, but they are out of state. Besides even that church has their weaknesses and their strengths.
I’ve seen churches that are wonderful at reaching people, but horrible at keeping them. I’ve seen others with excellent teaching but no new people to teach. So I agree that every church has weaknesses and strengths. We are imperfect people.

What I am saying is that you need to make your ministry your churches ministry. NEVER pray for God to bless your work, but pray that God will be glorified as you and your church endeavor to do the things He has prepared for you to do (His work).

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Have a prayer team praying while you are at an event witnessing to others.
2. Take a few people with you.
3. Have your pastor and elders/deacons/teachers review the tracts you will use (and use only those tracts).
4. NEVER NEVER NEVER adopt a program that is not accepted by your church.
 

evangelist6589

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Different churches reach out in different ways. We are not called to attend major events in order to evangelize (although this is certainly not a bad idea). We are called, as we journey through life (and church life together) to disciple people.

I'm not saying that you have to get a bunch of people to go, or even that you have to have a program at all in order to evangelize. I am saying that you need to have the backing of your church because it is under your church that you will minister (you are a member and representative of your local church body, and under that authority when it comes to discipline and discipleship). Talk to them about your desire to witness at these events. Let them get together and choose which tracts, if any, should be used. Even if none can go with you, they can pray for you and at least evaluate your message and materials. And abide by the decision of the church.

[Childish response edited]
Evan- Are you willing to serve by doing the unseen and unappreciated tasks?

Not my calling. I need to use my gifts and passions. Its pointless to do things I am not gifted nor called to do such as working in a children's ministry.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

evangelist6589

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
I’ve seen churches that are wonderful at reaching people, but horrible at keeping them. I’ve seen others with excellent teaching but no new people to teach. So I agree that every church has weaknesses and strengths. We are imperfect people.

What I am saying is that you need to make your ministry your churches ministry. NEVER pray for God to bless your work, but pray that God will be glorified as you and your church endeavor to do the things He has prepared for you to do (His work).

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Have a prayer team praying while you are at an event witnessing to others.
2. Take a few people with you.
3. Have your pastor and elders/deacons/teachers review the tracts you will use (and use only those tracts).
4. NEVER NEVER NEVER adopt a program that is not accepted by your church.

I doubt they will have a problem with the WOTM tracts that I use so perhaps I need to contact them again about this. I already contacted them once, but perhaps again.
 

Rolfe

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Not my calling. I need to use my gifts and passions. Its pointless to do things I am not gifted nor called to do such as working in a children's ministry.

Child's ministry is not what I meant, but I think that you know this. I meant cleaning toilets after service, mowing grass, taking out the nursery diaper-trash, and other less glamorous jobs that are not in the public eye but need to be done.

Reason why I ask. Based on your fixation on doing the types of things that get you in front of people, I wonder if you are willing to submit yourself to your church and help with those menial jobs that usually go unnoticed but still need to be done.

So I ask again, are you willing to do these types of behind-the-scene jobs? Do not use gifts or callings as an excuse; it is about humility, submission, and willingness to serve.
 

blessedwife318

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Oh for the love of the rabbit!


Not my calling. I need to use my gifts and passions. Its pointless to do things I am not gifted nor called to do such as working in a children's ministry.
I would hardly call children's ministry unseen. I think he was talking about cleaning the church, or set up tear down after special events etc and that doesn't take a special gift of calling to dust some window sills or clean some bathrooms.
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
I doubt they will have a problem with the WOTM tracts that I use so perhaps I need to contact them again about this. I already contacted them once, but perhaps again.
You misunderstand. I am saying that this needs to be God's ministry and not your ministry. Even if you are pretty sure they have no problem with the tracts, have them choose which ones you will use. Go over with your pastor the sermon you will preach (you are representative of your congregation as they are the ones equipping and building you up). Work with your church even if you don't think you need them, because if you are really called to the task you are called to the task within the church.
 

blessedwife318

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Child's ministry is not what I meant, but I think that you know this. I meant cleaning toilets after service, mowing grass, taking out the nursery diaper-trash, and other less glamorous jobs that are not in the public eye but need to be done.

Reason why I ask. Based on your fixation on doing the types of things that get you in front of people, I wonder if you are willing to submit yourself to your church and help with those menial jobs that usually go unnoticed but still need to be done.

So I ask again, are you willing to do these types of behind-the-scene jobs? Do not use gifts or callings as an excuse; it is about humility, submission, and willingness to serve.
I have always found it instersting that when I studied the gifts all of them with the excpetion of the miraclous sign gifts are also commands. People may have the gift of hospitality, but we are all called to show it, someone might have the gift of giving but we all are called to give. One my be gifted in teaching, yet we are all called to teach. So not being gifted in an area provides no cover for not being willing to serve.
 

JamesL

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
First, I suggest that you conduct ministry as a part of a church, street preaching included. I suggest this because the evangelist is subject to a local congregation insofar as his doctrine and method.....
WHAT ?!?
Haven't you heard of WOTM ??

W- was
O - only
T - trying it
M - my way
 

evangelist6589

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
You misunderstand. I am saying that this needs to be God's ministry and not your ministry. Even if you are pretty sure they have no problem with the tracts, have them choose which ones you will use. Go over with your pastor the sermon you will preach (you are representative of your congregation as they are the ones equipping and building you up). Work with your church even if you don't think you need them, because if you are really called to the task you are called to the task within the church.

Most of the time I just preach off the top of my head and one cannot have notes when one open air preaches. I have many verses memorized and I use them when I preach. I preach from the NIV mostly.

But then again perhaps sometimes its good to have things scripted. Today I messed up in something I said and got a angry heckler in response! I had said that homosexual offenders will not inherit the kingdom of God (as the NIV 84 states in a passage in the NT 1 Cor 6:9) but I should have said practicing homosexuals, as the Heckler told me that all sins were the same and forgiven in God's eyes, however the heckler never said anything about repentance.
 

Rolfe

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Most of the time I just preach off the top of my head and one cannot have notes when one open air preaches. I have many verses memorized and I use them when I preach. I preach from the NIV mostly.

But then again perhaps sometimes its good to have things scripted. Today I messed up in something I said and got a angry heckler in response! I had said that homosexual offenders will not inherit the kingdom of God (as the NIV 84 states in a passage in the NT 1 Cor 6:9) but I should have said practicing homosexuals, as the Heckler told me that all sins were the same and forgiven in God's eyes, however the heckler never said anything about repentance.

Do you realize that you referred to yourself eleven times in your post? Can this be a good indicator why you have not answered my question (Post Number 30)?
 

evangelist6589

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Do you realize that you referred to yourself eleven times in your post? Can this be a good indicator why you have not answered my question (Post Number 30)?

(childish response snipped). Tired of your usual grammar natzi games Rolfe.
 
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Reynolds

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
I started my own street evangelism ministry but my partner moved recently to another state.
What do you think God is calling you to do? Maybe you should just take some time and do nothing but read His word, pray, and listen to Him; Him, not men.
 
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