Gotta question for ya: This morning we finished our At the Movies series with "World Trade Center." Focused on Dave Karnes, who basically snuck into the crash site on the night of 9/11 to search for people buried alive in the rubble of the buildings. He found two and saved them.
I talked about how as Christians we are rescue workers, and our responsibility is to bring people to Jesus. (You can listen to it on our web site in a day or so.) This is the thing I'm most passionate about, and what I love to talk about more than anything. So, on that hand, it was great to get to preach on it.
However, on the other hand, I'm always hesitant to preach about "evangelism" on Sunday mornings, because we have a ton of non-Christians with us every week. And I wonder if hearing that will make them think, "Oh. Wait. Am I just your target?" Or maybe they'll think, "Man, I'm glad you care enough about me to make me a priority and want me to experience what you believe to be a life-changing relationship."
What do you think? Is this not something we should preach about on Sundays? And, if not, where should we talk to our people about it? And, if so, what are the best ways for us to talk about it so our people feel inspired, but lost people aren't turned off? I'm seriously interested in your thoughts, so leave a comment...
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Sunday, December 2, 2007
Am I Just Your Target?
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13 comments:
I guess my answer would be the question: Did Jesus ever talk about His target to or in front of His target?
Exposing God's heart for people that are far from him is always good, isn't it?
'I came to seek and save.'
'I came for the sick.'
'I came for the 1 lost sheep.'
When an outsider catches a glimpse of God's heart for them and his relentless pursuit of them...it's got to start breaking through some walls and thawing some ice.
And....when outsiders hear you teach Christians to actually have a heart for people in an authentic/Jesus kind of way...it's got to get them rooting for you.
I guess there will always be people that think they are a target. It's our job to help them see what kind of target they are. A target that scores us points and gets us brownie points with Jesus or a target of love and service and sincere friendship.
from what i have read, Jesus usually talked to his diciples only, when he spoke about who the target was and what to do about them and it kinda seems they passed that along to the next generation and so on, i think that sunday morning probably isn't the time to talk strategy but maybe in leadership training or volunteer training times both because you are only talking to the ones that would benefit most from hearing it and in training settings they are probably most ready to absorb the ideas. I have always had a thing for sales and because of that i can always spot some one trying to sell me, and thats because I know the process, and when I spot someone trying to use the sales techniques i am famliar with I instantly start looking for the expert because i don't want people trying to convince me. I have seen you post over and over about making sure every service is a service for the guy who never saw a church before and thats what i think is so awesome about forefront, well thats what i think
i meant to say looking for exit not looking for the expert
I am a United Methodist pastor and I come from a Wesleyan Theological tradition. John Wesley addressed this issue by using both open worship services as well as closed worship services. Talking about things like evangelism can be done in closed worship services, especially if one of the goals of the open services is evangelism. I sometimes wonder if the worship service is the best evangelism tool, but it seems to be effective in many contexts.
Vince,
At my church we have Sunday evening and Wednesday evening services. Which usually catch most of the already saved crowd. My pastor usually reserves these evenings for "preaching to the choir" as he puts it. He will usually reserve teachings to these nights and preach mostly on topics that are for the already saved.
Another local church has different classes as they call it. They are called 101, 201, 301, & 401 respectively. and offer something different for the growth experience.
I agree that saving the lost is of the utmost importance. But you are also right in thinking that you need to have a time to feed and teach the saved how to win more souls.
Be blessed!
Scott Pusey <><
Having heard the sermon twice, I think it is all in the way that you present it. I thought both times, that you expressed God's Love for them and how He wants them to be close to Him. I am not sure that makes them a target; if anything they are targeted for Love - is that such a bad thing?
You consistently stated that we ALL need healing - not just the lost. There are many broken Christians that need the same healing and are buried under the rubble of life and I believe you even stated that. I personally believe it was a good mix in that particular sermon for both those who do not yet know Jesus and those that do and are pursuing Him with all their heart. I lean more towards what Kevin stated in his comments.
Jesus many many times talked to the people both in teaching and parables about their need to be saved and be close to God. Not sure they ever felt like targets. The folks with the bullseyes on their backs were the religious leaders who He once called "the son's of hell" - Now that is a target!
Love your heart man!
Hey Vince, You don't know me but I'm a big fan of the blog, keep up the good work. Anyway, I guess I fall in line with Kevin Colon and LeHigh Valley Project. At TheBOD.tv we practice comfortable confrontation a term I first heard at LifeChurch.tv. We do everything to create a comfortable "safe" environment on Sunday morning but we also believe that we have the best story ever told. It's the story of God's love. Our guests aren't "targets" or "projects", we just think it's cool to let them know that they are being loved and pursued by God. We are just doing everything we can to help people understand the TRUTH about God.
I agree with several of the comments above that it is all in how you present it. Definitely don't call them "targets" or "projects." I have heard pastors refer to them as "pre-Christians" rather than "non-Christians" both of which irritate me a bit as well.
I'm not sure were really should "label" them at all, but then, how do we refer to them?
Anyway, that's not your question. I'd say, "Yes" teach your people the importance of evangelism, but in a way that they become convinced they have the most important truth that people just need to know. It's like iPhone users telling others how great the iPhone is. They're aren't thinking of others as "targets" or "customers" they just have something that means a lot to them and they are excited to tell others about it too.
I've been doing a series lately on our mission strategy. During the course of it we have had some make decisions to receive Christ, because in the sermons, which are directed primarily to believers, I make it clear that it's the Gospel we're out to share. And some hear that (maybe for the first time) and want that kind of love.
I think it's good for guests to hear the heart of your church. I don't think you have to make it sound like they're the target, but simply that we care for them. It hasn't pushed anybody away here that I'm aware of.
We have asked this same question at our church...also the frequency of how often and when you can talk about it on Sunday mornings.
When we talk about it we usually refer to things like Winning the souls of our pagan city. Okay, not really. We actually try to dissolve some Christian stereotypes sometime when we present it too...like we aren't just trying to make converts or boast numbers, but trying to share the hope we have found and how God has made a difference in our lives...so it comes do to how you present it. A bunch of people have already mentioned this...so why did I feel the need to comment....i don't know.
You speak to whoever your audience is. Which sucks if you have people who are at different points in their lives all at once. Some are seeking, some are hostile, some have taken the step to becoming Christians.
This is hard for me as a Christian, because after a while, hearing the same old stuff every Sunday morning, the stuff that is "seeker" focused, makes me bored. Kinda hard to keep that fire going when you're bored.
I realize I have not helped you in the slightest.
You're welcome.
I was wondering the same thing last Tuesday at the White Horse. How does this sound to the unbeliever? Do they feel like we are "after" them, and this is how we are going to "get" them to our side?
But then I thought back to when I was a new believer at Forefront, I realized that I never felt like I was a "target". As a matter of fact, I couldn't wait to take one of your Forefront 101 classes to learn how to share this glorious saving Grace with others.
I like milepost13's question, Did Jesus ever talk about evangelism in front of new or non-believers?
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