The Soul-Winning Church

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Reaching out with

OUTREACHES

The Church is not a Museum for the Saints;

The Church is rather a Family of Brothers and Sisters;

The Church is a Christian education Seminary;

And the Church is a Hospital for Sinners!

Acts 2, 41 Then they that gladly received his word

Were baptized: and the same day there were added

unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 2, 47 Praising God, and having favor with all people.

And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

James 2:17 faith that doesn’t show itself by good work

s no faith at all, it is dead and useless.

I John 2:3 And how can we be sure that we belong to

Him? By looking within ourselves, are we really trying to

do what He wants us to do?

Pray that God will call some to be Christian Politicians!

by jerry rogers

275-3961

OUTREACH QUESTIONAIR

Complete the following questionnaire

to determine if there is need of revitalization.

How many have been added to the total Sunday school enrolment in the last year. Divide last year’s beginning enrolment number by the number of increase during the year. The answer is the number of people involved to enroll one more person in that year. Example: 140, last years enrollment, divided by 10, the number of increase, equals 14, the number it takes to enroll one new member per year.

How many have been baptized in the last year. Divide last years active membership by the number baptized during the year.. The answer is the number of members it takes to win one more person in that year. Example 140, last years membership, divided by 10, the number baptized, equals 14, the number of people it takes to lead one other person to Christ in the last year. Another way to look at the same numbers is that it takes one member 14 years to win one person to Christ.

Many authors are stating that our churches have become comfortable! The pastor seldom preaches to a lost person, which means that the invitation is seldom given to a lost person. They say that our churches are similar to the seven churches of Asia Minor, recorded in Revelation chapters 2 and 3.

Now let each of ask ourselves if we were involved in that increase of 14 in Sunday school or the increase 14 that were baptized?

Does the 14 increase in Sunday school or in baptism evidence that the fields are white unto harvest? I have heard it said of those in the church that “we just don’t have any opportunities”. Others have said that our church field is not growing therefore our church is not growing. Many say that there are so many distractions, like television, ball games, parties, traveling, plus the responsibilities in the home and family today that they do not have time for Christ or His Church.

Can we make the church more desirable for each person and each family than any of their present activities. No other organization or activity can add real value and purpose to people lives like Christ church.

I believe the fields are whiter to harvest than ever before in history. The workers are fewer than ever before in proportion to the size of the harvest. We have all the necessary workers. They are the inactive members of every church. Lets employ every member of every church in active harvesting. Every church and individual should feel that they can do better and harvest more.

Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls”.

Matthew 9:36 “And seeing the multitudes, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd’.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost.

Luke 10:2 These were His instructions to them: “Plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out more laborers to help you, for the harvest is so plentiful and the workers so few”.

I John 2:3 And how can we be sure that we belong to Him? By looking within ourselves, are we really trying to do what He wants us to do?

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hears only, deceiving you own selves.

John 4: 35-36 Do you not say, “There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest”. Behold, I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. “Already he who reaps is receiving wages, and is gathering fruit for life eternal; that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.

Read again Revelations chapters 2 and 3. Does your church resemble these seven churches in any way? How can these similarities be corrected. This question will take time and much thought to fully relate those churches to your church and resolve the deficiencies that may exist.

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

· Obviously every outreach program is not workable for every Church. Study all of the outreach programs. Choose those that seem right for your Church. After determining the abilities and talents of your Church and its members you can then merge those considerations into a list of outreach programs that are achievable.

· The Pastor is the overseer for the entire program. The pastor will need one person, who will be the Church Outreach Leader; sometimes this person is called The Evangelism Director, to shoulder the entire program.

· There will be a file and worksheet on each outreach program. This worksheet describes the purpose, character and possibilities of each outreach. The name of the team leader and each member of team will be recorded together with their home address and telephone numbers. There is space to document the date, activity and comments of each meeting. These records will be valuable to future team leaders and allow progress comparisons to previous years.

CENSUS OUTREACH

· A comprehensive census of the entire Church area is invaluable. Use census sheets provided on the CD Rom. This CD has instructional information about taking the census, the goals of the census, and an invitation letter from the pastor and much more.

· A training seminar should be held for all census takers that carefully explains all of the rules and opportunities.

· Tell them of the programs offered by the Church. Explain that membership is not required. Leave literature about all the programs of the church.

· This team leader and committee is responsible for the up-to-date maintenance of the census information.

Team Leader & Members	Address	Phone Number

TEAM LEADER WORK REPORT DATE ___________

NAME OF CHURCH CENSUS FORM

Name________________________________________________________________Age_______________

Street_______________________________City_________________________State_________Zip________

Church Affiliation_____________________________ Where________________________________________

Married________To_____________________________________Years______Number Children___________

Childs Name_________________________________Age______Interest______________________________

Your Vocation________________________________Years_____Specialty____________________________

Education_________________________________________________________________________________

Hobbies__________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE MARK YES IN ALL SPACES NEXT TO AN ACTIVITY, TALENT, INTEREST OR ABILITY THAT YOU HAVE. WE MAY CALL ON YOU TO ASSIST IN HELPING OTHERS..

Household repair___________Chaufering_______________Auto Service______________

Teaching__________Reading__________Writing__________Visitation________________

Music___________Singing___________Speaking___________Counseling_____________

Cooking___________Child Care___________Computer__________Research___________

Bible Study___________Planing & Organizing____________Stratagy__________________

Playing sports________________________Coaching_______________________________

Hunting or Fishing____________Hikeing________________Camping__________________

Other or Describe a selection above_____________________________________________

PERSONAL PRAYER OUTREACH

You are the team leader and the team.

The success of the church in its spiritual responsibility to every program and to every member is in direct proportion to the success of it members personal prayer.

· You do not have to be brilliant, eloquent, or long winded. You must be awake to the needs of individuals, community, country and the church and only then be soul burdened for sinners enough to pray fervently for those needs to be successful.

· Practice the presence of God and Christ. Just be alone with them and you will always find matters you want to talk to them about. You will gain wisdom and insight by practicing their presence. Soon you will become very protective of this time. Watching TV constantly or indulging in any activity will become secondary in importance to your precious time with God and Christ. Nothing will deepen your love and devotion more. Soon practicing their presence will permeate you character and time. Your thoughts and decisions will be controlled by your abiding love Them.

Depend upon it, if you are bent on prayer, the devil will not leave you alone. He will molest you, tantalize you, block you, and will surely find some hindrances, big or little or both. And we sometimes fail because we are ignorant of his devices. I do not think he minds our praying about things if we leave it at that. What he minds, and opposes steadily is the prayer that prays on until it is prayed through, assured of an answer. Mary Booth

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you. I Samuel 12, 23

Men ought always to pray and not faint. Luke 18, 1

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5, 17

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and the ministry of the word. Acts 6,4

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5, 16

PRAYER MEETING OUTREACH

· A weekly or monthly church business meeting never takes the place of the weekly prayer meeting. All of the other church programs are dependant on the weekly prayer service to strengthen and sustain them, especially the worship service.

· Those in charge of any church program or a leader in any church program or activity would do well to attend the weekly prayer service.

· Special prayer groups may come together whenever and wherever of their choosing to pray for their special concerns.

“We are too busy to pray, and so we are to busy to have power. We have a great deal of activity, but we accomplish little; many services but few conversions; much activity but few results.” R. A. Torrey

“There is nothing that makes us love a man so much as praying for him.”

William Law.

“When we rely upon organization, we get what organization can do; when we rely upon education, we get what education can do; when we rely upon eloquence, we get what eloquence can do. But when we rely upon prayer, we get what God can do.’ A. C. Dixon

“Prayer is the greatest force that we can wield. It is the greatest talent which God has granted us. He has given to every Christian. There is a democracy in this matter. We may differ among ourselves as to wealth, social position, educational equipment, natural ability, inherited characteristics; but in this matter of exercising the greatest force that is at work in the world today, we are on the same footing. It is possible for the most obscure person in the church, with a heart right toward God, to exercise as much power for the evangelism of the world, as it is for those who stand in the most prominent positions.” John R. Mott

“Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards. Begin the day with the work of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him. “ James Hudson Taylor

“This much is sure in all churches, forgetting party labels; the smallest meeting numerically is the prayer-meeting. If weak in prayer we are weak everywhere.”

Leonard Ravenhill

“Our greatest opportunity and our gravest responsibility is to be so engaged in continued prayer that Gods blessing and our success in soul winning is ever present.” Jerry

SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTREACH

Contact all old members. There may be some that are infirmed, handicapped, without transportation, or just lethargic because they have been inactive and seemingly no one cared.
Order or print extra supply of S. S. books.
Have S. S. director encourage everyone in the worship service to come to S. S. Lesson material is available in the vestibule for them as they leave the worship service.
Have each S. S. teacher and department to promote increasing their attendance however they deem best. When a Church area census is completed it will be extremely helpful.
If home visitation is appropriate with some prospects, have those from the S. S. best qualified to make the visit.
Pray for the entire S. S. outreach program to be successful, not for a numbers increase in attendance only but rather that Christ purpose might be glorified in the increased attendance and enrollment. Prayer availeth much.
If a survey of the churches outreach area has been completed, then a visitation program for the church and S. S. might be organized to reach those who are unaffiliated.

Team Leader & Members	Address	Phone No.

TEAM LEADER WORK REPORT Date: ___________

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL OUTREACH

· Vacation Bible School is a natural. The only consideration is how many lost children we can invite that are also candidates for full Christian membership into our church. They will all be happy to come and play whereas some may be reticent to come to study the bible as in Sunday school.

· Concentrate on getting these children from non-affiliated families to VBS and the results are almost guaranteed. Secondarily, this will also give the church an inroad to invite the parents to a fellowship supper, to Sunday school or to the worship service. Their recognition in the worship service and further opportunities of contact might well result in their salvation and membership.

· It would hardly be possible to take full advantage of the VBS possibilities to enrich the lives of children and families in the church community and those that will work with them.

Team Leader & Members	Address	Phone Number

TEAM LEADER WORK REPORT DATE ______________

CHURCH MONTHLY FELLOWSHIP SUPPER OUTREACH

The threefold purpose of the church is evangelism, education and fellowship. It would be hard to imagine anything better for all-around fellowship than a monthly supper in the fellowship hall for everyone.

There is just no end to materials available for fellowship themes, games, other activities and variances to make this a wonderful social. All other programs will become more successful when the happy enjoyment of these fellowship activities blends into the classroom and auditorium.

There will no longer be strangers in the church. New prospects for the church, once invited and attending these fellowships will feel right at home and very likely will want to join this church. It is a rare person that does not need, or desire, more happiness and quality close friends in their lives.

If you do not have such a fellowship in your church you just don’t know what you have been missing. Many of us can remember the youth fellowships after the Sunday evening worship service. They were a big part of our lives and if we stop and think about it we miss those times. They are the “good ole days” so to speak.

Team Leader & Members	Address	Phone number

TEAM LEADER WORK REPORT DATE ____________

TRACT PROGRAM OUTREACH

The threefold purpose of the church is evangelism, education and fellowship. It would be hard to imagine anything better for all-around fellowship than a monthly supper in the fellowship hall for everyone.

There is just no end to materials available for fellowship themes, games, other activities and variances to make this a wonderful social. All other programs will become more successful when the happy enjoyment of these fellowship activities blends into the classroom and auditorium.

There will no longer be strangers in the church. New prospects for the church, once invited and attending these fellowships will feel right at home and very likely will want to join this church. It is a rare person that does not need, or desire, more happiness and quality close friends in their lives.

If you do not have such a fellowship in your church you just don’t know what you have been missing. Many of us can remember the youth fellowships after the Sunday evening worship service. They were a big part of our lives and if we stop and think about it we miss those times. They are the “good ole days” so to speak.

Team Leader & Members	Address	Phone Number

TEAM LEADER WORK REPORT DATE ___________

ASSOCIATION SPORTS OUTREACH

· If your interest is in a basketball league, a soccer league or a flag football league Google or Yahoo Upward Sports. This site is very comprehensive in every detail needed to have a successful league.

· Sports on the associational, elementary, middle school, high school, and public level exist in virtually every community. There is no better venue for young and old to develop friends and influence those friends toward a right relationship with God. This gratifies every other relationship and involvement in their lives.

· Sunday school, the worship service and every other facet of the church is benefited by way of these new members.

· Just imagine we can create a blood brother or sister through sport programs which will add to our Christian purpose.

· Particulars concerning the equipment, schedules, rules, transportation and the like will be formulated by the Sports Team Leader. This programs calendar should be somewhat full year round.

Team Leader & Members	Address	Phone Number

TEAM LEADER WORK REPORT DATE ___________

HANDYMAN OUTREACH

· The handyman can. He will repair small carpentry, electrical, and plumbing problems for you and save you from calling the expensive tradesman. Just call the Handyman team leader when you have a leaky faucet, a bad electrical switch, a fence board or a threshold that needs replacing.

· This program is for shut-ins over sixty years of age, single Moms and for others with special physical limitations. We do not do routine work like lawn maintenance or window washing.

Team Leader & Members	Address	Phone Number

TEAM LEADER WORK REPORT DATE ___________

CAR CLINIC OUTREACH

· Church men service cars at the church once a month for the elderly, single moms, and others who need this assistance. The men check for transmission fluid, tire pressure, water, antifreeze, oil, and the proper function of the windshield wipers.

· Have tracts or literature to give out and extra tracts for them to give out during the week. New Testaments, Church tracts, or a group for them to choose from.

Team Leader & Members	Address	Phone Number

TEAM LEADER WORK REPORT DATE ___________

LADIES-MENS-OR-COEDS BIBLE STUDY

· Whether you have Ladies Bible Study and a Men’s Bible study or a Co-ed Bible Study is usually determined by the size of the church.

· Select scriptures and topics that would grow those in attendance to become more effective witnesses. Choose subjects that would address lifeway concerns and problems.

Team Leader & Members	Address	Phone Number

TEAM LEADER WORK REPORT DATE ___________

NURSING HOME AND ASSISTED HOME OUTREACH

Teaching, preaching, praying, tract & bible distribution, and fellowship, this outreach needs them all.

This group should be large enough not only enough to preach and sing but to just sit near those in attendance. Developing a personal friendship with the residents is always very valuable.

Remember the residents in the nursing homes have all of the weaknesses and needs as are found in the general population, sometimes even more so.

They do not need sympathy but rather friendship, spiritual strength, understanding and guidance.

Team Leader & Members	Address	Phone Number

TEAM LEADER WORK REPORT DATE ___________

MOM AND DAD OUTREACH

· A mothering and fathering seminar, sponsored by the Church, will be taught by a qualified and successful Christian mother. Classes are to be open to non church members.

· There will be one or more pre birth seminars a year for mom and dad.

· There will also be seminars on child’s first year for mom and dad.

· Hopefully there will also be a few seminars to cover child’s years, two through

five for mom and dad.

· Invite those who are qualified to teach these seminars.

Team Leader & Members	Address	Phone Number

TEAM LEADER WORK REPORT DATE ___________

HOME VISITATION OUTREACH

· This is the ultimate outreach. Some training and experience is necessary but no other outreach can be more productive than witnessing directly with a family.

· The training is very enjoyable. One new trainee will go visiting with the team leader until he is ready to be a home visitation leader himself.

· The success when visiting is exhilarating. Nothing is more spiritually fulfilling than to be a part of leading someone to Christ.

· The blessings will fill your soul to overflowing. Your closeness with Christ is on a higher level than you could have imagined.

Team Leader & Members	Address	Phone Number

TEAM LEADER WORK REPORT DATE ___________

CHRISTIAN OUTREACH CENTER

· This is a designated building, somewhere in the association area, that functions, with volunteers from all association churches to house the Association Clothes Closet, Food Distribution, other specific daily needs of the indigent.

· This facility should have a rest room and change room available.

· The many details of manning and operation this facility should be worked out by the Associational Clothes Closet Committee.

Team Leader & Members	Address	Phone Number

TEAM LEADER WORK REPORT DATE ___________

SUPPLY TEAM OUTREACH

· These ladies makes drawstring bags, or gather old suitcases, to fill with a blanket, Bible, towel, soap, washcloths, cap appropriate for the season, socks, tooth paste, tooth brush, comb and other items for the needy.

· These packages are for distribution by the Association Clothes Closet Outreach Center.

Team Leader & Members	Address	Phone Number

TEAM LEADER WORK REPORT DATE ___________

CRISES ASSIST OUTREACH

· This group gathers information, on jobs known by members of the Church to be vacant or will become vacant. This information is as thorough as possible. Individual sheets with phone numbers and other contact information are available to supply the interviewee on each job.

· The Church nursery may be made temporarily available to a single mom who is having financial problems. She may pay what she can afford.

· A family may not be able to pay the price for a Church sponsored outing. The Church benevolence committee may assist in such instances.

· The pastor should be notified if the Benevolence Fund is needed.

Team Leader & Members	Address	Phone Number

TEAM LEADER WORK REPORT DATE ___________

PRESCHOOL MOTHERS OUTREACH

· This is a once a month meeting, of Church and non Church mothers, to study the Bible, to have fellowship, and to possibly work in crafts. The pre-school children will have Bible stories and games suitable to their age.

· The appropriate room in the church will be reserved.

· Excellent opportunity to witness to unchurched mothers.

Team Leader & Members	Address	Phone Number

TEAM LEADER WORK REPORT DATE ___________

REALITY HOUSE OUTREACH

· Reality House is a residential facility for women who are trying to rid themselves of drug addiction. Two children are permitted to live with them while they are in the program. Your church may support the Reality House in many ways. You can provide Bibles, clothes, and seasonal gifts for the women and the children.

· Weekly Bible classes for the mom and the children can be scheduled.

· Just real friendship, prayer, and love, is always appreciated. These fields are extremely white for harvest.

· Monthly offerings are especially valuable for the support for the overall program.

Team Leader & Members	Address	Phone Number

TEAM LEADER WORK REPORT DATE ___________