LIFTING A STANDARD
Evangelism
Scripture: Isaiah 62:10
Rev. Dr. Eleazar Merriweather, Executive Directive, CGD
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
North Eastern Episcopal District
Leadership Training Institute
Mrs. Laurenna H. Crenshaw, Missionary Supervisor
Bishop George D. Crenshaw, Presiding Prelate
Pass through, pass through the gates!
Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations.
Isaiah 62:10
| LIFTING A STANDARD: EVANGELISM, WORSHIP, SERVICE, FELLOWSHIP AND DISCIPLESHIP
Matthew 9:35-38, NIV
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Theme: Lifting a Standard: Evangelism Proposition
Evangelism is the first and most essential step in the formula for “making disciples” and thus fulfilling the mandate given to us by Christ.
“Evangelism is central to the activity and growth of the Christian faith” (Barna, State of the Church)
DEFINITIONS
EVANGELISM DISCIPLESHIP
The process by which we win souls to Christ or which people are “born again.”
Discipleship: The process by which we bring/grow people spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity in Christ (Ephesians 4:13-15)
| LIFTING A STANDARD: EVANGELISM
DECISION DAY REPORT
Critical Tests that can affect the quality of life and life itself
1. Number of Conversions
2. Number of rededications
3. Numbers answered the Called to Preach
Standard: Some established by an authority as rule for the measure of quantity, weight, value, etc.
4. Set Evangelistic goals for November 1. 2024 to October 31, 2025
Blood Pressure
Blood Sugar:A1C |
Input from AMEZC Pastors
Common threads of growing & thriving churches
• Emphasis on evangelism & intentionality
• Pray for workers and lost souls
• Leadership development
• Community presence
• Radical hospitality
| LIFTING A STANDARD: EVANGELISM
SAVING SOULS REQUIRES THE CHURCH TO…
BE COMMITTED TO ITS PURPOSE PRAY BE ITS PRIORITY
| LIFTING A STANDARD: EVANGELISM
Theme: Lifting a Standard: Evangelism
I. Saving souls requires the Church to consider the Price Jesus Paid
II. Saving souls requires the Church to be committed to its Purpose
III. Saving souls requires the Church to be its Priority
IV. Saving souls requires the Church to Pray
V. Saving souls requires the Church to have community Presence
VI. Saving souls requires His Power (I will draw … )
VII. Saving souls requires the Church to rely and employ His Principles )
VIII. Saving souls requires us to employ modern Practices
Saving Souls Requires the Church respond to the great Price that was paid for our salvation
✓ Isaiah 52;14, 53:1 12
✓ Philippians 2:5-8)
✓ My God, My God why have you forsaken me
✓ You were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20)
✓ He who knew no sin was made sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21)
| LIFTING A STANDARD: EVANGELISM
Saving Souls Requires the Church to be Committed to its Purpose (Mission)
✓ ou are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
✓ … “Those with a single eye for the glory of God and the salvation of souls
✓ It is the chief end of the Gospel
✓ Quadrennial CGD Congress: Teach Train equip Strategize and develop plans to evangelize the church for new life and the community for the salvation of souls
✓ The Bureau was established in 1920 because it was felt that the efforts of evangelism were fading |
Saving Souls Requires the Church to be its Priority
• For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)
• This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples (John 15:7).
• You have nothing to do but save souls (John Wesley”)
| LIFTING A STANDARD: EVANGELISM
Savings souls requires the Church to Pray
✓ For God to send workers (Luke 6:12-13)
✓ For unity among the Leaders (John 17:11)
✓ For unity among all believers (John 17:20-23)
✓ For the who, when, where, how to share the Gospel -“FRANgelism”
Saving Souls Requires the Church to Have Community Presence
✓ The principle of being Sent: God sends the called to His people
✓ We are Itinerant Preachers (Traveling Preachers)
✓ Jesus came to a sin infested world
✓ Jesus went to the town and villages
✓ We too must have community presence
✓ we must understand their predicaments
✓ Social media
Saving Souls Requires His Power
• And I, when I am lifted up[g] from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32
• For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile (Romans 1:16)
• You will receive power (Acts 1:8) | LIFTING A STANDARD: EVANGELISM
Saving Souls Requires The Church to
Rely On & Employ His Principles
• God has made it conducive for lost souls to respond to His love expressed in various forms
• Amagnet draws metal
• The shadow of Peter (Acts 5:15)
• You are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13)
• You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14)
• The Holy Spirit empowers us to be His witnesses
| LIFTING A STANDARD: EVANGELISM
Saving Souls Requires The Church to Employ Modern Practices
• Gloo
• MissionInsite
• Social Media
• Prison Ministries
• Funerals: Church & Community people)
| LIFTING A STANDARD: EVANGELISM