Soul Winning

Season’s Greetings

Most Pastors desire to see people coming to faith in Jesus, being baptised and starting a new life of discipleship/following Christ. Verses like Acts 2:41 stir our hearts and we quietly say/pray to ourselves, ‘could this happen in our day?’ Answer, absolutely.

“Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all”.

Brothers and sisters I am convinced that this is THE key to our malaise in NZ. Conversions! I know no better or faster way to see a tired and apathetic local church experience renewal then when the ‘waters of baptism’ move regularly and frequently. This is what fires believers up. This is what warms cold hearts. This is what quenches the thirst of Christians whose souls have become dry and thirsty.

To that end can I encourage to make this your prayer over the summer break. Let’s say that for the next 6 weeks you devote to pray earnestly asking God this question:- Please give me a strategy for soul winning for 2019? I have a sense He will answer such a prayer……quickly. He might say:-

• Cast a compelling (yet realistic) vision for evangelism through your local church, and/or
• Expect¹ non-christians to be present in your Sunday Morning services and invite them to respond, every Sunday, and/or
• Form a ‘task force’² of those folks who want to be used by God to win souls for Christ – perhaps just one person over the next 3 years, and/or
• A new involvement for you pastor³ that brings you up close and personal to totally unchurched people on a regular basis, and/or
• The planning of a few ‘strategic’ events throughout the year that gather unchurched people in large numbers⁴ and creatively and powerfully preach the gospel, and/or
• The options are endless…………

Try it! What’s there to lose?

Finally, as this is my last blog for this year I would like to wish you a very happy Christmas, a relaxing break/holiday and blessed year of ministry in 2019. See you back here on the 5th February.

Blessings

Alan

¹ Remember William Carey’s famous quote, “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.”

² Invest greatly into this group. Train and encourage like there is no tomorrow.

³ I am a huge believer in ‘as the leader so the followers’. If Pastors model personal evangelism that in and of itself becomes a very powerful ‘witness’.

⁴ I’m tired of the ‘back chat’ that says, Agh another speech about bums on seats. No it’s not. It’s about a deeply held conviction that God wants to see all people come to repentance and faith in Him and that the primary task of every local church is to do what it takes to bring this about.

NEW in 2019. ‘Leaders On Leadership’. Three Kiwi’s leaders in three cities in early June sharing their personal stories followed by a talk on Integrity (Don Barry- Gateway Church, Hamilton), Empowerment(Hamish Galloway- Hope Presbyterian Church, Christchurch) and Strategy(Rob Hennin- CEO Nib, Auckland). Check our website in early February for details etc.

And Finally. A very insightful and funny spoof! View time, 1min 35secs.

Tired of having to get dressed and drive across town? Introducing Virtual Reality Church! Choose your own denomination, worship leader and sermon topic, all from the comfort of your couch!

Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.