How to Cultivate Evangelism in the Church | David Platt

Summary

In this insightful discussion, a pastor shares practical steps for cultivating a culture of outreach and evangelism within a church. He emphasizes the importance of prayer, modeling evangelism, and personal involvement in sharing the gospel. Celebrating stories of gospel sharing and utilizing evangelistic programs are highlighted as effective methods. The pastor reflects on the growth of a global outreach mindset in his congregation, noting the positive impact on local ministry and the desire to equip members for worldwide discipleship.

Takeaways

• 🙏 The importance of prayer in cultivating a culture of evangelism, as it is essential for awakening the hearts of God's people to obedience and passion.
• 🌟 Emphasizing the role of church leaders in modeling a culture of evangelism, as the church will reflect the character and influence of its leaders.
• 🎨 The significance of Sunday preaching in building up the church and equipping the saints, while also being a platform for sharing the gospel with non-believers.
• 📖 The pastor's role in modeling evangelism through sermons, making the church a safe place for non-believers to hear the gospel.
• 🎉 Celebrating stories of people sharing the gospel and leading others to Jesus, which helps to cultivate a culture of evangelism within the church.
• 🤝 The value of programs that train and equip people for evangelism, while cautioning against reliance on programs as a substitute for personal evangelism efforts.
• 🌐 The connection between global missions and local mission efforts, where involvement in global missions can fuel and enhance local ministry.
• 🌳 The growth of the church in McLean over six years, building on a legacy of zeal and passion for reaching Metro Washington DC with the gospel.
• 🌍 The unique position of the church in DC to reach a diverse international community and to send members out to other nations for gospel work.
• 🔗 The encouragement of making connections between global and local missions, such as Ethiopian outreach efforts influencing local ministry to Ethiopian immigrants.
• 🏆 The vision of cultivating a church that can function effectively in any part of the world, relying on the Word of God and the Spirit of God for discipleship and evangelism.

Q & A

What is the primary role of involvement in global missions according to the pastor's experience?

The primary role of involvement in global missions, as per the pastor's experience, is that it fuels local mission efforts, creating a culture of outreach and evangelism.

What is the suggested first step for pastors, especially young pastors, in cultivating a culture of outreach and evangelism?

The suggested first step is to organize short-term trips for the church, which can be a great initial step for pastors to take in their ministry.

Why is prayer considered important in cultivating a culture of evangelism within the church?

Prayer is important because it is believed to awaken the hearts of God's people to obedience and passion, and it helps to fight spiritual battles against the adversary who doesn't want to see such a culture developed.

How can pastors ensure that their own lives and the lives of church leaders reflect a culture of evangelism?

Pastors can ensure this by being personally involved in evangelism, influencing others, and making sure that the leaders they have are also cultivating a culture of evangelism.

What is the pastor's view on the role of Sunday preaching in cultivating a culture of evangelism?

The pastor believes that Sunday preaching should be used to build up the church and equip the saints, while also modeling evangelism by sharing the gospel with those who are not followers of Jesus.

How can pastors make their sermons a safe place for non-believers to hear the gospel?

Pastors can make sermons safe by handling sensitive topics with care, making eye contact with visitors, and providing reassurance and guidance on how to think through the message.

What is the significance of celebrating stories of people sharing the gospel in the church?

Celebrating these stories is significant because it encourages a culture of evangelism, inspiring others to share their testimonies and experiences of leading people to Jesus.

How can evangelistic programs be helpful in a church's outreach efforts without becoming a crutch?

Evangelistic programs can be helpful by training and equipping people to share the gospel, but it's important that they don't replace the need to share the gospel in everyday life and work.

What has been the fruit of building a culture of outreach over the past six years at McLean Presbyterian Church?

The fruit has been an increase in zeal and passion for reaching people globally and locally, with members being equipped for cross-cultural disciple-making and involvement in global missions fueling local mission efforts.

What is the ultimate goal for the church members in terms of evangelism and discipleship according to the pastor?

The ultimate goal is for church members to be able to make disciples, gather as a church, and be the church anywhere in the world without dependence on programs or personalities, relying solely on the Word of God and the Spirit of God.