Comments on: Church Growth… The Biblical Way: Restore Evangelism to the Laity http://www.coffeeswirls.com/?p=1894 Walking the Path of Least Resistance Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:14:48 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Kenny http://www.coffeeswirls.com/?p=1894&cpage=1#comment-4588 Kenny Sat, 01 Apr 2006 01:39:03 +0000 http://www.coffeeswirls.com/?p=1894#comment-4588 I think that if the laity doesn't share their faith, church growth won't occur. If we depend on pastors to be heroes and get it all done, it won't happen. I am going to check out the "Courage to SHare" site listed above. That sounds like it may help po=rovide what is needed in the New Testament church. Evangelism happens (where it happens, I mean) because people have something exploding out of their hearts, and it continues and succeeds because there is good soil for seeds. I believe the primary purpose of church meetings and Bible studies is to provide a place for new Christians to get oriented and learn, and to help establish leadership in order to handle the influx. The church I grew up in had Bible classes in order to argue better against other denominations. I think that is a perversion, a bizarre form for Christianity to take. All of these things are a vehicle for church growth. I've been to churches that seem exciting, but IMO, the only true excitement occurs when people meet and talk about the sharing they did during the week. They build each other up, work on techniques, get excited about what's to come. That is true excitement. Having various special events is nice, but not what the mission is about. I think that if the laity doesn’t share their faith, church growth won’t occur. If we depend on pastors to be heroes and get it all done, it won’t happen.

I am going to check out the “Courage to SHare” site listed above. That sounds like it may help po=rovide what is needed in the New Testament church.

Evangelism happens (where it happens, I mean) because people have something exploding out of their hearts, and it continues and succeeds because there is good soil for seeds. I believe the primary purpose of church meetings and Bible studies is to provide a place for new Christians to get oriented and learn, and to help establish leadership in order to handle the influx.

The church I grew up in had Bible classes in order to argue better against other denominations. I think that is a perversion, a bizarre form for Christianity to take. All of these things are a vehicle for church growth.

I’ve been to churches that seem exciting, but IMO, the only true excitement occurs when people meet and talk about the sharing they did during the week. They build each other up, work on techniques, get excited about what’s to come. That is true excitement. Having various special events is nice, but not what the mission is about.

]]> By: CoffeeSwirls » The Professional Laity http://www.coffeeswirls.com/?p=1894&cpage=1#comment-4587 CoffeeSwirls » The Professional Laity Tue, 07 Feb 2006 05:10:16 +0000 http://www.coffeeswirls.com/?p=1894#comment-4587 [...] I posted last week that it is fundamentally the role of the congregation to serve as the evangelistic arm of the church. There are many though, who seek further responsibilities. Some of us want to be the point of contact for missionaries, we want to set the Sunday School agenda, we want to oversee others in various outward ways, we want to do all that we can to serve God, and that is a good motivation for the people of the church to have. We should desire more opportunities to serve in the name of the Lord! But what is more important? Should we all desire to minister to God or should we desire all the more to be ministered to by God? [...] [...] I posted last week that it is fundamentally the role of the congregation to serve as the evangelistic arm of the church. There are many though, who seek further responsibilities. Some of us want to be the point of contact for missionaries, we want to set the Sunday School agenda, we want to oversee others in various outward ways, we want to do all that we can to serve God, and that is a good motivation for the people of the church to have. We should desire more opportunities to serve in the name of the Lord! But what is more important? Should we all desire to minister to God or should we desire all the more to be ministered to by God? [...]

]]> By: Cedric Hohnstadt http://www.coffeeswirls.com/?p=1894&cpage=1#comment-4586 Cedric Hohnstadt Wed, 01 Feb 2006 04:33:25 +0000 http://www.coffeeswirls.com/?p=1894#comment-4586 Great article! We should all be sharing our faith more. I've recently strated an evangelism blog called "Courage to Share', full of tips, resources, and thoughts to encourage Christians to share the gospel biblically and effectively. http://couragetoshare.blogspot.com Great article! We should all be sharing our faith more. I’ve recently strated an evangelism blog called “Courage to Share’, full of tips, resources, and thoughts to encourage Christians to share the gospel biblically and effectively. http://couragetoshare.blogspot.com

]]> By: glenn http://www.coffeeswirls.com/?p=1894&cpage=1#comment-4585 glenn Tue, 31 Jan 2006 18:54:35 +0000 http://www.coffeeswirls.com/?p=1894#comment-4585 It's all good, Doug. Keep up the good work around here. It’s all good, Doug. Keep up the good work around here.

]]> By: Mark http://www.coffeeswirls.com/?p=1894&cpage=1#comment-4584 Mark Tue, 31 Jan 2006 14:08:29 +0000 http://www.coffeeswirls.com/?p=1894#comment-4584 Great post on giving it back to the laity. I recently read, “Behind every story of salvation, you’ll find people on their knees.” Prayer, I think, is where it all begins. Praying to know the heart of God. Praying compassionately, persistently, and specifically for the lost. Praying for the messenger and that that messenger will have opportunities and BOLDNESS. And most definitely pray for the destruction of strongholds (2Cor. 10:3-5). I hope that your readers take your thoughts to heart and get on their knees for the lost however, close or far they may be. Great post on giving it back to the laity. I recently read, “Behind every story of salvation, you’ll find people on their knees.” Prayer, I think, is where it all begins. Praying to know the heart of God. Praying compassionately, persistently, and specifically for the lost. Praying for the messenger and that that messenger will have opportunities and BOLDNESS. And most definitely pray for the destruction of strongholds (2Cor. 10:3-5). I hope that your readers take your thoughts to heart and get on their knees for the lost however, close or far they may be.

]]> By: Doug McHone http://www.coffeeswirls.com/?p=1894&cpage=1#comment-4583 Doug McHone Tue, 31 Jan 2006 04:44:49 +0000 http://www.coffeeswirls.com/?p=1894#comment-4583 Thanks! I didn't really get into much of how a pastor should orchestrate such training, but I have a suspicion that it begins with prayer and continues with expository preaching. We're cool, right? Thanks! I didn’t really get into much of how a pastor should orchestrate such training, but I have a suspicion that it begins with prayer and continues with expository preaching.

We’re cool, right?

]]> By: glenn http://www.coffeeswirls.com/?p=1894&cpage=1#comment-4582 glenn Tue, 31 Jan 2006 04:35:17 +0000 http://www.coffeeswirls.com/?p=1894#comment-4582 I agree, Doug, that much evangelistic effort should be conducted through the people in our churches. <b>I believe that if a person is serious about the Great Commission, he will have a personal burden in working towards fulfilling it--ordained minister or not.</b> I also think that it is important for pastors to keep the kind of evangelistic philosophy you articulate in mind as they build people's lives not only with the Spiritual truths that feed their souls, but also with the Spiritual equipping that inspires and prepares them to take the Gospel to others. Good thoughtful post. I agree, Doug, that much evangelistic effort should be conducted through the people in our churches. I believe that if a person is serious about the Great Commission, he will have a personal burden in working towards fulfilling it–ordained minister or not.

I also think that it is important for pastors to keep the kind of evangelistic philosophy you articulate in mind as they build people’s lives not only with the Spiritual truths that feed their souls, but also with the Spiritual equipping that inspires and prepares them to take the Gospel to others.

Good thoughtful post.

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