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THE WOODLANDS?Darrell Robinson has never forgotten that God’s plan for reaching the world grows out of the local church. In his newly released book, “Synergistic Evangelism,” he explains that the spiritual awakening for which so many Southern Baptists are praying will unify local church members to pursue God’s agenda.
“They needed and we need extraordinary prayer that will bring us to intimacy with God, brokenness, repentance, and yielding to God,” he writes. Only then did the disciples become so united that they pursued Jesus’ passion for the souls of the lost.
“The power of God for salvation is not in our cleverness, not in our religious entertainment, not in our slick advertisements or programs, not in avoiding biblical truth to keep from offending people,” Robinson writes. “The power is in the gospel of Christ. But, some have lost confidence in the power of the gospel.”
In just 148 pages, Robinson provides practical instruction that brings together all of the elements of evangelism into a strategy that local churches can embrace. He provides a refresher course for church leaders who have forgotten or abandoned some of the essential steps in creating a culture focused on evangelism.
While churches may be particularly successful in staging evangelistic events, evangelistic invitations, social ministries, or neighborhood witnessing, Robinson explains how all of these tools combine for maximum outreach to those who need Christ.
He takes on the usual excuses for abandoning evangelistic outreach?from fear of causing offense to yielding to a changing culture. “Satan has us where he wants us?paralyzed regarding evangelism,” Robinson writes. “If pastors and leaders buy into the myth that they do not want to witness, then they lower their expectation for the level of commitment for which Christ calls.”
Furthermore, “if the early Christians had believed and behaved like this, the gospel would not have survived the first century. They prayed that God would give them boldness to share Jesus no matter what they did to them,” he writes, citing Acts 4:39-41.
“If you ask lost people what it will take to reach them for Christ, you are asking the wrong people. They do not know what it will take to reach them for Christ. They are spiritually blind and need the light of the gospel to open their understanding as to where they are and how they need Christ.”
Robinson guides the reader through each element of a balanced evangelistic strategy. Beginning with public proclamation, he offers an assessment of whether current methods employed by most churches are accomplishing the goal of sharing the gospel in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. “Most preaching is made up of interesting homilies and excellent oratory, but does not present the gospel of Christ and call people to Christ,” he warns.
In addition to sharing the plan of salvation and a clear invitation to receive Christ, “a climate of evangelistic concern and urgency” must be created. Every worship service should accomplish three priorities, he reminds: glorify God and praise the Lord Jesus; train and equip believers through the preaching of the Bible; and present the gospel and reach the lost.”
MUSIC AS A HANDMAIDEN
Those involved in music and singing can do much to create a climate for evangelism, Robinson said. He commended the example of Curtis Brewer, minister of music at First Baptist of Odessa, who led the choir to participate in witness training and commit to reach one lost person for Christ. “When a choir member saw a person for whom they were praying and were attempting to reach come into the congregation, he or she was filled with joy and prayed through the entire service for that person.” That commitment spreads to the entire congregation and lifts the spirit of the service, he added.
After addressing other elements of public proclamation, Robinson offers step-by-step instruction on giving an evangelistic invitation, challenging a growing trend of minimizing its importance.
COMPASSION
Caring ministry is the second biblical technique Robinson points to from the book of Acts. He encourages churches to prevent well-intentioned outreach from turning inward as time passes.
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