I am asking for help in this post. I have done it all when it comes to outreach. Big events and small events. We have had conversions, but most of them disappear into the night as soon as the event is over. We follow up and still the conversions disappear. Is it me or is the worlds best outreach some kind of myth?
Certainly the book of Acts gives examples of large group outreaches of sorts. The Day of Pentecost comes to mind. The difference is three fold. First, these events were not filled with star athletes or amazing bands. Second, it seems to me the Holy Spirit did a lot of things in the book of Acts that were unique to that time and place. Third, these events were not the result of a planning committee, they were the result of God working in a powerful way.
What am I missing?
Certainly these events have a place, but are we just fooling ourselves when it comes to evangelism? I think we are. The world sees us coming a mile away with our Holy Roller Speakers and our electric guitars. They know what it going on. We have created a church culture where the event is what rules the roost. Personal evangelism has become a last resort rather then the front line.
Maybe I am all wet. I would love to be corrected!!
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1 comment:
I think you are right on. I remember a movie which I think was made in the 70's about a couple who go nuts trying to reach their community - I think it's called "The Gospel Blimp." They rent a blimp and blanket the neighborhood with tracts, stuff like that - and other equally horrendous events. Finally at the end, their neighbors come to church and get saved. Eagerly, the couple ask "was it the tracts we dropped from the blimp? was it the (you name it)?" and the couple just looks at them and says something to the effect of "well, no actually all that stuff was kinda annoying, but we noticed that you really love us and care about us so we decided we want to have what you have."
Sounds like we still haven't gotten the message of that film, 30 years later.
Not that any of those events are bad - many are good ideas and some are probably even GOD ideas.
but the bottom line is personal love and care for individual people. That's how Jesus called people. He preached to crowds, but He called people one at a time.
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