evangelism online- october 2005

By Nelson Searcy and John Troy   Courtesy of The Epic Team http://www.EvangelismOnline.org Subscribe at: Subscribe.evangelismonline.org  

From the Editor: If you found this edition helpful, please share it by using the “Send to a Friend” link above.   Evangelism Online: Church Health, Church Growth and Church Planting  

**EVANGELISM / CHURCH GROWTH**

 WHAT'S WORKING IN REACHING PEOPLE  “You want visitors to come to church? Invite your friends. Overwhelmingly, word of mouh invites were the most effective marketing method for bringing new people to church with 65%.” - Available at: Church Marketing Stinks  For more on keeping those you reach, check out The Assmilation Seminar on CD     

A FAITH REVOLUTION IS RE-DEFINING CHURCH     "The defining attribute of a Revolutionary is not whether they attend church, but whether they place God first in their lives and are willing to do whatever it takes to facilitate a deeper and growing relationship with Him and other believers. Our studies persuasively indicate that the vast majority of American churches are populated by people who are lukewarm spiritually."   - Available at: Barna     

THE REPRODUCING CHURCH
  “If your church is limited by geography, demography or building size, those need no longer be inhibitors. When your church history and tradition says "stay here," but growth opportunities say "move over there," you now can do both by employing the Multi-Site Church strategy.”   - Available at: Building Church Leaders    

** CHURCH PLANTING **   

The Call to Start A Church
  "Let’s ask a hard question: Do you know for certain that God has asked you to start a new church?  This question is not about going into ministry or being a pastor or helping people, but about your call to start a church.  This call is very different from the call to pastor an existing church or work with youth or work in a ministry-related organization."   - Available at: EpicTeam.org  

** CULTURE **  

3-D LEADERSHIP
  “Many Christian leaders are moving forward at a rapid pace, running on so little gas they would short-circuit the low-fuel light on any dashboard. In order to be successful over the long haul, leaders must avoid the trap of doing more and must learn to do fewer things more effectively. I suggest a 3-D approach: designate, delegate and dissociate."   -  Available at: Leader Links  

** LEADERSHIP ***

THE THREE LEGS OF PREACHING   “The three legs are simple—theological, biblical, and practical. I'm trying to present a message that's balanced—not just balanced in terms of preparing or crafting a sermon, but balanced for the listeners, the people you hope to be transformed into Christlikeness."   - Available at: Preaching Today      

BEYOND NARNIA: LEADERS ON C.S. LEWIS
  "Lewis’ faith was authentic. Lewis converted to Christianity later in life, after sustained periods of doubt and agnosticism. And even after getting right with God, Lewis wrote of his ongoing struggles and frustrations with God.”   - Available at: Rev