Church PLANT Manual

Session 2: Launch and Assemble • 49

Seminar 6 Evangelism and Follow-Up 1

As discussed in previous seminars, in the Prepare stage of church planting you will need to develop a team of faithful Christians to help you pursue the vision of planting a church. As we move into the Launch and Assemble phases of the church plant, however, you should avoid the temptation to grow the church by recruiting believers from other churches and relational networks to join your church. While there is nothing wrong with welcoming Christians who are seeking a healthy church to belong to and serve, you should not confuse doing so with true church growth. Churches exist to help the lost (non-believers) come to saving faith in the Lord Jesus. Therefore, evangelism and incorporating new believers into the family of God should be the measure of growth and effectiveness. As many Christians wrestle with much fear related to evangelism, helping your team and church members understand the nature of evangelism and how to share their faith are paramount in church planting. Each context will offer its own set of unique challenges to those sharing the gospel. The following outline is offered to both remove the stigma associated with evangelism and prepare you to create a strategy for incorporating new believers into your church.

I. Evangelism – The Oikos factor A. The Oikos factor: the central distinguishing social feature in dynamic evangelical witness

1 Adapted from a seminar by Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis in Ripe for Harvest , pp. 242-247.