Second, it helps to make a list.
Given the hectic, fast-paced nature of most of our lives, it’s easy to place things—people, even—on the backburner. In the heat of the moment, we think to ourselves, I really want to connect with that new neighbor across the street or I need to dedicate myself to praying for that struggling parent in my church small group. But sometimes we let hours, days and even weeks go by before suddenly remembering all the people we forgot to reach out to and pray for.
My suggestion is this: Just make lists. Write down the names of those in your community in need of prayer and compile a similar list of people you want to share the gospel with. If we are serious about the gospel, our natural response shouldn’t be to bottle up the gift we’ve been given in our hearts and keep it to ourselves. The message of Christ’s love and redemptive work on the cross was meant to be shared and it’s our job—not someone else’s—to testify to its power.
Third, a message for the pastors: We need to dedicate ourselves to leadership in this area.
It’s not enough for us to talk about evangelism from the pulpit or preach sermons from Paul’s journeys in the Book of Acts. We need to make sharing the gospel a priority in our individual spheres and circles if we want to inspire our congregations to do the same. We need our churches to be places of accountability where churchgoers, staff and leaders come together with one common desire: reaching people.
This is because, at the end of the day, sharing the gospel isn’t just a side job—it is, arguably, one of the most important of our Christian responsibilities. The command to love God and neighbor is most fully expressed when we bring the message of his love directly to those who need it most.
So, pastors, when it comes to evangelism, you can’t lead what you won’t live.
Sure, people might reject us—neighbors might be disinterested and family members unconvinced. But nevertheless, we must continue to faithfully sow seeds in our homes, workplaces and communities.
This is a true expression of our love for Jesus.
This article originally appeared here.
