What REALLY works in sharing the gospel?

Remember the adage, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket?" I could not find the derivation of this bit of information, but I believe it is true! Regardless of the effort, depending upon one means for success is a bit hazardous, if not foolish. This is true in nearly all matters of life. If you had all of your money invested with Bernard Madoff, it would have been a huge mistake. If your team relied on the expertise of one player, wins would be few. If your love was shared with only one other person, someone is going to be mistreated. You get the idea, right?

How does that apply to evangelism? I am glad you asked.

During my four decades of ministering among churches of Christ, I have found that many churches "place all their evangelistic efforts in a single basket!" Now, I grant you that the "baskets" are periodically changed, but most churches only use one "basket" at a time. For example, in the late 1950s and early 1960s, most of us were dedicated to using "filmstrips" of one variety or another to preach the gospel. We would gather our five filmstrips, projector, screen, and record player and off we'd go to a "cottage" meeting. Let me quickly add that thousands of folk will enjoy heaven due to the efforts of this type of personal evangelism, but it was not a panacea. Soon afterwards, someone got the idea that "direct mail evangelism" was the answer to our evangelistic problems. So, many of us put our money and effort into sending literature into the homes of our neighbors and friends. It worked, but marginally so in my estimation.

By the early seventies, we were "bussing in" thousands of children to our Sunday schools. Many of whom were completely "unchurched" and were very excited that someone was showing concerned for them. Our philosophy? We will win the parents through their children! After all, if we show a genuine interest in their children, parents will appreciate us more and will allow us to study with them. There will be thousands of people in heaven someday due to the "Joy Bus" that rolled into their neighborhood!

I could have started earlier with gospel meetings, radio and television productions, large campaign efforts and ended with "exodus" movements, small groups, and "Jesus" seminars.

Each of the above was touted as "the answer to our evangelistic failures!" I am sure that I have over-stated the claims of each of these efforts, but I wanted us to note that we have had a bit of the "eggs in one basket" mentality! The truth is that there is no "one way" that will be the panacea for failed outreach efforts! The very nature of the above automatically excludes certain groupings in society. Not all will watch a movie, ride a bus, attend a gospel meeting, or host a dozen people in their home for Bible study and fellowship.

So, what is the solution? What will work in our world today? What are you doing that is working well in reaching the lost? What efforts is your church using to evanelize your community? I am eager to hear your responses!

Welcome to "EVANGELISM: Inside and Out!

WELCOME! This new blog is designed to encourage, expand, and invigorate evangelism be exploring it from all possible angles...inside and out! It will by my objective to share with you some of my personal thoughts and experiences and I hope you will do the same. It is hoped that we can invigorate local evangelism by sharing methods that we have employed or that we know others have employed with success.

I have three expectations from all contributors:

1. That all matters be judged in light of the Word of God

2. That exceptional attitudes exist between various contributors

3. That "EVANGELISM...Inside and Out" does not become a sounding board for useless criticism

I do not expect all of us to agree on every matter, but the highest standards of conduct are demanded and expected. I reserve the right to excuse anyone from using this blog who insists on being argumentative without cause. Good discussion out of necessity will creat times when we disagree, but I expect all to be brotherly in their conduct.


Comments are encouraged by all and it is planned that all will comment! Along with the comments that one may make, I hope others will learn about "EVANGELISM: Inside and Out!" and desire to participate in this forum. Please, include a link to this blog on any site over which you have control.


One more dream that I have for this blog is that it will become a means of sharing success stories regarding the power of the gospel to touch people's lives. I have seen individual lives changed by the Word and have seen the same Word incredibly change congregations. Please, share these kind of success stories with us.


The purpose of "EVANGELISM: Inside and Out" will be to: encourage the teaching of the gospel to those who need it most; to excite individuals and congregations regarding evangelism; and, to establish communication between individuals and congregations regarding outreach.


Thanks for becoming a "follower" of this site and may God bless its use!