Tim Dowdy called it a “learning lab” as he led seminar participants in exploring the North American Mission Board’s new evangelism kit.
“What we want to do is instill a culture of evangelism in our churches,” Dowdy said. “We have programs and these are good, but it doesn’t matter which program we use. We select what works for us, and then we must do it intentionally.”
Dowdy, vice president of evangelism for NAMB, spoke to pastors and other church leaders at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills in October. He was assisted by J.J. Washington, NAMB’s national director of personal evangelism, and Catherine Renfro, NAMB’s national director of women’s evangelism.
“Jesus taught us that He is the Light of the World in John 8, but He also said we are lights in the world too in the Sermon on the Mount,” Dowdy said. “We share His light with others. God gives us family and friends and connections so that we can share His love and plan for them. Evangelism is not something we do for one season or one day but like a circle, it’s never-ending. It must always be in process.”
Dowdy said many pastors feel overwhelmed in the days after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A pastor told me recently that he couldn’t ‘keep his head above water,’’’ Dowdy said. “What he was saying is that he was drowning. A drowning man really can’t be concerned with saving others since he’s worried about himself. And we should be concerned about ourselves and where we are with God and others.”
Take initiative
Dowdy led participants through a threefold self-checklist that included soul, family and church and encouraged everyone to take care of themselves and seek proper priorities.
“This list isn’t to make you feel bad but to help you identify some areas of needed growth in your lives,” he said.
Dowdy said the pastor must take the initiative in developing a culture of evangelism and be intentional.
“Every message we preach should include the word of the gospel,” he said. “Even though we might be preaching on ethical principles, the gospel message reminds believers about our responsibility to share Christ.”
Washington urged attendees to embrace their communities.
‘Know and serve’
“We need to know our communities, and we need to serve them,” he said. “Barriers abound. Sometimes these barriers include language, race and even the reputation of the church. But with God’s help we can build bridges to our communities.”
Washington said NAMB provides community demographics for churches at namb.net/demographics.
Renfro talked about the value of prayer.
“Of course, prayer is the first step,” she said. “Jim Cymbala insisted in one of his books that ‘the things of God are accomplished by the power of God.’ That’s why we must seek Him in prayer as we try to build His Church.”
Renfro said Christians can pray for the unsaved by name, for opportunities to share faith, for boldness and for the Holy Spirit to give the right words at the right time.
NAMB’s “Who’s Your One?” materials include a 30-day prayer guide that can be a useful tool, she said.
“We should ask our congregations to slow down and see the opportunities before us to share our faith.”
Celebrate victories
Washington further encouraged attendees to celebrate victories as a way to underscore priorities.
“Use your social media to publicize salvation decisions and baptisms,” he said. “Let new Christians give brief testimonies as they’re about to be baptized. Celebrate those who engage in gospel conversations so that our members know this is vital.”
Dowdy concluded the training with another appeal to intentionality.
“Those things we think will randomly happen probably won’t happen,” he said. “That’s why pastors must be intentional in creating a culture of evangelism.”
The evangelism kit includes a training guide and a flash drive containing helpful videos that can be used in churches. The kit is available without charge from NAMB at nambstore.com/products/evangelism-kit.
“Please know, pastors, that we value your work,” Dowdy said. “Remember the Apostle Paul’s declaration that God places His ‘treasure in clay pots.’ He’s pleased to work in us and with us in this work.”
NAMB maintains a pastoral care hotline at 844-PASTOR1 (844-727-8671).
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