Converge executive director of Church Planting Lee Stephenson shares eight components needed to create a culture of evangelism in your church in the May 2018 issue of Point magazine.
In this eight-part blog series, Stephenson expounds on each of the things he says church leaders must do to create an evangelistic environment.
Part 3: paint a picture
There is something about good art that captures a story in a way that words cannot. We have all heard that a picture is worth a thousand words. I would go as far to say that a picture is worth more than 100,000 words.
When it comes to building a culture of evangelism, always begin with art in mind. Start by painting a picture in which people see the faces of those they connect with on a regular basis.
When the words barista, mailman, neighbor, coach and school are mentioned, what images pop in your mind? My guess is a picture of a specific person is what your attention gravitates toward first. Why? Relationships matter. God has created us to be in community and meaningful relationships.
As a Christian, meaningful relationships need to go further than just buying a coffee from the same barista every morning on your commute to work. Learn to engage the person in front of you, with the prayerful hope that God will give you a chance to minister to him or her.
Part of teaching people in your church to evangelize is helping them see people for who they are, where they are and that they matter to God. Everyone has a story, and that story matters to God. If that person and that story matter to God, then they better matter to us as well.
One step: Take time to ask people to think about their neighborhood street. Ask them to draw out the 5-7 houses closest to where they live. Then ask them to write out their neighbors’ first name, something interesting about that person or family, what they enjoy doing and where they are spiritually. Doing this will help paint a picture to the people in your church that God’s mission field is right in front of them!
In creating a picture for people, you are creating awareness, with the hope that it creates a loving concern for those in our lives.
