3. Intentional evangelism
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”
We are burdened for the spiritual condition of those who do not yet know Christ. We have identifiable pathways for evangelism to take place in our ministries. Our people are equipped and growing in their ability to build spiritual friendships and know how to share their faith as God-birthed opportunities arise.
RCA Transformed and Transforming Initiatives
- Equipping Congregations for Local Missional Engagement RCA congregations, living and loving like Jesus, will express the gospel of Jesus Christ in transformational ways, bringing reconciliation, justice, blessing, and hope to individuals and families in their communities. This will create mutual transformation between local churches and their communities and neighborhoods. local@rca.org
- Church Multiplication The RCA will continue to start new churches that further the gospel—reaching the spiritually disconnected, bringing them into a community of authentic relationships, and introducing them to the God of grace who transforms lives and eternities. multiply@rca.org
Evangelical Covenant Resources
Sermons
- Vital Signs Part Two by Steve Norman
- Sermon Series of the 10 Healthy Missional Markers by Tim Schaaf
Books
- Organic Outreach, Kevin Harney Zondervan (September 13, 2009) Fulfill One of Your Deepest Longings Every follower of Jesus has a sincere desire to share God’s love with others. We want to tell friends and family about who Jesus is, what he means to us, and all he has done for them. Deep in our hearts we have a burning passion to pass on the good news we have received. But, where do we start? We want to share our faith, but we don’t want it to feel awkward, uncomfortable, or unnatural … for them or for us! Organic Outreach for Ordinary People will help you shape a personal approach to passing on the good news of Jesus in natural ways. This is not a system or a program. It’s a collection of biblical practices that you can incorporate into your life starting today. You can begin right where God has placed you. You can share the love and message of Jesus in a way that fits exactly how God has wired you. In this practical and easy-to-read book, Kevin Harney offers the tools needed to reach out with God’s love in organic ways. In these pages you will discover that sharing the good news of Jesus can be as natural as talking about your favorite sports team or telling a friend about a wonderful new restaurant. On the golf course, over coffee, while taking a walk—anywhere and everywhere—become a bearer of grace. Share the amazing love of God. Tell the life-changing story of Jesus. Discover ordinary ways to communicate God’s love and the message of salvation—naturally.
- Your Church Can Thrive: Making the Connections that Build Healthy Congregations, by Harold Percy (Abingdon, 2003) How will your church grow? The author lays out four main groups of people that churches should seek out: those in the pews, those who walk in, friends and family of current members, and those who live in the neighborhood. He then explores ways that churches can understand the needs of these groups and reach out to them.
- Breakout Churches, by Thom Rainer (Zondervan, 2005) Rainer tells the stories of 13 churches that moved from stagnancy to growth and from mediocrity to greatness and explores the process of becoming a “breakout” church.
- Breaking the Missional Code: Your Church Can Become a Missionary in Your Community, by Ed Stetzer and David Putnam (B&H Publishing Group, 2006) Combining studies on theology, ecclesiology and missiology with a vast array of quotes and insights, this book is a very important book for pastors attempting to transition churches from programmatic to missional or for planters seeking to learn the "code" of the culture where they are planting.
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