by Kwasi Kena
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Ritual response: While teaching an undergraduate communication course, I learned this two-word phrase. In communication, ritual responses are automatic utterances said in reply to some question such as, "How are you doing?" "Fine." I wonder if local churches sometimes slip into ritual responses with regard to evangelism.
Ask a local church, "What is your mission?" and you will likely get a rapid-fire response, "To make disciples of Jesus Christ." For emphasis, the person responding may point to the mission statement splashed across the bottom of the Sunday bulletin. My follow-up to that response is, "Really? Then tell me about the various ministries, plans, activities, and programs you offer specifically for pre-Christians." A long, throat-clearing pause often follows.
Why does mention of making disciples solicit so many ritual responses?
Rick Richardson, author of Evangelism Outside the Box, provides some insight. Richardson notes, "Often when we start to make witness a passion and a priority, we run into a major barrier: Our 'boxes,' mental models of ministry and evangelism that keep us from pouring our passion into new ways of witness" (Richardson, page 17).
Campus ministries, such as InterVarsity, Navigators, and Campus Crusade for Christ, have a long, active history of evangelistic outreach. But even these ministries have discovered ministry "boxes" in their camps. Too many of their strategies were pointedly geared to speak to the issues of a past generation. In 1991-1992, Campus Crusade noticed it was bearing less and less fruit. So it restated its mission: "to turn lost students into Christ-centered laborers." Then Campus Crusade changed what it counted to only new conversions and commitments to Christ.
What do you count?
The mission of the local church remains the same: Make disciples of Jesus Christ. To realize that mission, local churches may need to refocus. Start with what you count; then, move to what you finance.
I grew up in a denomination heralded for its emphasis on doing evangelism and converting people to Christ. I became the chairperson of evangelism in my local church and looked at the church budget. There was a $1,200 line item for "pigeon removal" and zero next to evangelism. What do you finance?
If people are moved in worship to give their lives to Christ in your local church, how does your church respond? Are staff (paid or unpaid) prepared to pray with individuals? Is someone ready to help the new Christian gain footing in the faith? Is there a Christianity 101 course, an introduction to the Bible class, or Prayer Essentials experience offered? What preparations have you made for new Christians?
When the focus of the local church is reaching people for Christ, the ministries, budget, and priorities reflect that mission-aim.
Here is simple way to assess where your local church is focused. Make a list of all the ministries, programs, events, and activities conducted by your congregation. Assess their primary purpose by placing one of the following codes next to each entry.
AMD -- Actively Makes Disciples: These are activities specifically designed to reach people for Christ and form disciples.
MDS -- Makes Disciples Secondarily: Example: Contributing financially to a local charity that helps the homeless.
FOB -- For Our Benefit. Example: Sunday school teacher recognition dinner.
TPB -- To Pay Bills. Example: rummage sale.
Every church will have entries in each of the four categories. The critical question is, how much effort, energy, and income does the church direct toward reaching pre-Christians for Christ? Church: Is it for members only or whosoever will?
Recommended Resources
Kwasi Kena is the Director of Evangelism Ministries for the General Board of Discipleship. Please direct suggestions and comments to him at kkena@gbod.org.
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Posted 9-02-09.
