Despite an abundance of evangelism training and gospel-sharing strategies, professions of faith and baptisms continue their decline in Illinois Baptist life. Could it be that our evangelism crisis is a symptom of a heart change needed to impact the culture of our churches?
Throughout Scripture, we see God’s model for thriving churches. While Jesus gave us the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 and our command to be his witnesses in Acts 1:8, he also reminded us in Matthew 22:37 that our witness must well out of our love relationship with him.
The thriving early church Luke wrote about in Acts 2 was simply living out the abiding relationship with God that Jesus pictures in John 15:5. How can we return to an Acts 2 culture in our churches?
Gospel up front
Throughout the New Testament, we see clear, faithful presentation of the gospel and the invitation to receive Christ modeled by church and network leaders. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, communicated in a way that caused those listening to be “pierced to the heart” (Acts 2:37).
We can shift the culture in our churches by keeping the gospel in front of our people. In every sermon, a clear, concise gospel message should be provided. Consider keeping the gospel prominently displayed in your church’s print and digital media week after week. When Christians hear the gospel constantly and have easy access to it from their pastor and church, they are more likely to share their faith when God brings opportunities.
This type of gospel-saturated culture mirrors Luke’s early church picture of Christians seeing the Lord “adding to their number day by day those who are being saved” (Acts 2:47b). All of this must emanate from a heart that loves Jesus so much that gospel invitation flows out, impacting the lives of others.
Frequent opportunities
Satan is constantly waging a war to keep us from overcoming our fear, doubt, and distraction to share our faith. Church leaders can overcome this by modeling how to share the gospel and to invite people to Christ.
Ensure that the gospel is presented with clarity and passion in every worship service, small group gathering, and ministry opportunity involving any age. These abundant opportunities are much more than gospel opportunities for those in attendance. Through steadfast modeling, we build people’s skill and confidence in loving others and sharing Christ.
Stick to it
Church cultures don’t change overnight. It takes three years to shift church culture through transformative leadership, experts say. This kind of culture shift can lead to generational impact. That’s three years of saturating a church with love, prayer, encouragement, gospel intentionality, hospitality, discipleship, and celebration before the culture shifts in a lasting way.
Three years may seem like a long time, but it’s no coincidence that Jesus spent three years living a culture of invitation with his disciples before he released them into ministry.
God has opened a door of opportunity for each of us to have a fresh start. Why not answer his call to make the next three years a time of culture-shift toward inviting people to follow Jesus?
Scott Foshie is IBSA’s Church Health Team Leader. He coaches churches and associations in the revitalization process.