Evangelism seminar available

One of the challenges of equipping church members to do evangelism is the follow through. To what extent will they have increased confidence and motivation to be faithful in sharing the gospel?

Grace Fellowship International (sponsor of RevitalizingPastors.org) has just completed a seminar that relates the message of the Cross and identification with Christ to the ministry of evangelism. The seminar could be given on a weekend or formatted differently to fit a church's schedule.

Excerpt from the first section of the seminar:

1.Introduction 

What is effective evangelism? 

  -Ineffective witnessing - Matt. 7:21,22 

  - Effective witnessing 

       Decision and disciple - John 5:24; 2 Pet. 1:10 

      "Fruit that remains" - John 15:16; Col. 1:23 

The importance of effective evangelism 

 - The Great Commission - Matt 28:18-20 

       Evangelism is the beginning of discipleship 

       Discipleship is the validation of evangelism 

The chronic lack of effective evangelism in American churches 

 -Statistics 

 -Significance 

     Neglecting evangelism is a sin of omission - James 4:17 

     Equipping without witnessing quenches the Holy Spirit  - 1 Thess. 5:19 

     Evangelism is the privilege and responsibility of the whole Body of Christ - Matt 4:19 

Evangelism as a process: The parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23) 

-Till the soil (live the abundant life, build relationships, pray) 

-Sow the seed (share the Gospel) 

-Water the seed (patiently ask and answer questions, pray, show love) 

-Pull weeds (be able to politely refute unbiblical viewpoints - 2 Tim. 2:23-26) 

-Harvest the wheat (invite him/her to receive Christ - John 1:12) 

~~~~~~~~

The seminar also introduces complementary materials and resources that are available for pastoral and lay ministry.

We would be glad to get feedback from pastors as we make this module available.