The Greatest Draw in Outreach

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What brings people to Jesus Christ and then to become a part of the local church? What will draw them in and keep them there?

What Might We Depend on to Attract People?

Nice Facilities?

First impressions do matter.  But, what if you can’t afford to renovate or build?  Certainly you can keep your rooms attractively decorated and clutter free. Is that enough?

Innovation?

If you want to reach people where they are, you need to be willing to change.  Adapting to people without losing the content of the truth we proclaim requires lots of insight.  But, is being on the cutting edge enough?

Good publicity?

How will people know what you have to offer if you don’t communicate?  Both verbal and written communication are at the core of salvation as “faith comes by hearing” (Rom. 10:14-17).  Communication is at the core of our educational or discipleship efforts in the church as it is knowing the truth that will set people free (Jn. 8:32).  Is simply letting people know what you have to offer enough?

Dynamic Leadership?

While a leader with a charismatic personality does seem to draw people in, it take various types of leaders to bring balance, health, and growth to the church.  If this kind of leadership team is in place, will that be enough?

What Truly is the Greatest Draw in Outreach?

While all of the above factors, plus others, will contribute to the big picture, none of them can be singled out as the greatest draw in outreach. None of these means alone, or combined, are enough because the greatest and absolutely essential drawing factor is God Himself. Jesus said,

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” (Jn. 6:44)

God doesn’t need our strategic efforts. He can draw people to Himself with or without us. He may choose to use us in the process but a person’s salvation is not dependent on what we do or don’t do. If God did not draw people to Himself, all our efforts would be in vain.

Implications for Our Outreach Efforts

1) Intercessory prayer needs to be made an absolutely vital part of outreach.

Without God in and behind all of this, we will simply have a nice building, great ideas, motivational tools, and skilled people running the church. Be encouraged to stop right now and examine what you are relying on to lead others to the Lord and bring them in to your local church.

Strategies and programs may have a place but Acts 2:42-47 reminds us that our devotion should not be to our methodology but to God Himself and to those things that put us in touch with Him and demonstrate a dependence on Him — like prayer. Of the early church we are told, “They devoted themselves to . . . prayer. . . . And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Intercessory prayer is vital.

2) Make outreach about Him, not us.

Outreach Ministry Putting the Spotlight on Jesus as Our Greatest DrawThe Outreach Ministry Manual, based on the outreach section of this site, has a sub-title that says what outreach needs to be about — “Turning the Spotlight on Jesus.” We must look hard at our outreach practices. Are we showcasing Him or ourselves?

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Means of Learning About God

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Learning about God to Truly Know Him

God wants us to get to know Him … not just cognitively but relationally. It’s why He sent Jesus (Jn. 14:6-11; Heb. 1:1-3; 1 Jn. 5:20). While we will never fully know God, because He’s God, we can learn more about Him. The more we get to know Him, the more we’ll come to love the Lord with all of who we are (Matt. 22:37-38) and trust Him with all of our heart (Prov. 3:5-6).

6 Ways We Can Learn About God

God uses a variety of means to help us know Him better.

  1. God’s Word

The Bible is the ultimate and primary source for understanding God and His ways. All else we do to learn about Him should be filtered through His Word (2 Tim. 3:16-17; Ps. 19:7-11). God’s Word leads to faith and spiritual growth as it is studied and applied to life (Rom. 10:17; Heb. 5:12-6:1).

  1. Life Circumstances

God uses our circumstances to teach us as we have opportunity to see His Word at work; God fulfilling the promises in it and leading us to righteousness and conformity to His Son through both the good and bad of life (Deut. 4:35; Rom. 8:28-29; 2 Cor. 1:3-5; Heb. 12:3-11; James 1:2-4).

  1. Nature

God’s wonders in nature teach us about the glory of God, leaving us without excuse for not believing in and honoring God as the One of whom there is no greater (Ps. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:18-21).

  1. Music

Music, usually viewed as a vehicle of praise, is also a way to instruct and build each other up in the Lord (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).

  1. One Another

God uses relationships with other believers to teach us about Himself and equip us as we exercise our spiritual gifts in serving one another (Eph. 4:11-16; Col. 3:16; 2 Tim. 2:2). This can happen face-to-face, through the printed page, the Internet, or even through fun and games together.

  1. Spiritual Disciplines

Just as engaging in physical activities strengthens our muscles, so purposefully and intentionally engaging in spiritual activities can do the same for our spiritual muscles (1 Tim. 4:7). The stronger we become in Him, the greater our understanding of who He is grows. Check out this helpful resource: Getting Spiritually Fit Discipleship Tool

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Serve Better by Remembering That Only God is Infinite

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Cease Striving in Ministry Because We Have an Infinite GodOnly God is infinite! When we understand that, we will stop trying to do ministry in our own strength. When we grasp how limited we are and realize how immeasurable His character, abilities, and ways are, we will cease striving with our own limited resources and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10).

Difference Between an Infinite God and Finite Human Beings

We are able to serve so much better when we acknowledge that we can’t but He can. Here are some differences between God and us:

  • God doesn’t need to prepare. He can say a word and it is done. He has unlimited power to change lives. We have an infinite God!

We need to be prepared in ministry but no amount of preparation is going to give us limitless power to affect change.

  • God sees the beginning from the end and knows how to get there. He has limitless wisdom and purity that keeps Him from contradicting Himself. We have an infinite God!

We aren’t always sure what to do and sometimes do the opposite of what we intend.

  • God knows all things all the time. He can empathize completely. His understanding isn’t merely mental but also experiential through the advent of His Son (Heb. 4:15). We have an infinite God!

We can try to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes to gain a better understanding but we still won’t fully grasp what others experience and feel.

  • God has unlimited means in bringing people to Himself. What is impossible with man is possible with God (Matt. 19:26). We have an infinite God!

We can try to “be all things to all men” to try to gain inroads into their lives but ultimately we will be limited in what we’re able to do.

Serve Better By Trusting in a God Who Alone is Infinite

Finite beings need an infinite God to accomplish anything of eternal value. Jesus said it well in John 15:5, — “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” Knowing this leads to no other recourse but to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him”. The result? “He will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5-6).

Only an infinite God is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us” (Eph. 3:20). He has limitless resources. Let’s cease striving and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10).

Nothing limits our infinite God. Consider all His various attributes using the Our Great God from A to Z Discipleship Tool Download to understand just how limitless He is in all aspects of His being. The more we grasp who He is, the greater will be our trust in Him.

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Ministry Isn’t Always Fair!

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We know life isn’t always fair, but ministry???? Shouldn’t we be able to expect ministry to be fair? Shouldn’t Christians be different than the world?

Reality Check about Fairness in Ministry

If we go into ministry expecting everything to be perfect, we’ll be in for some major disappointments. There will undoubtedly be times when …

we do most of the work and others are recognized more than us.

we get accused of something we never said or did.

we come up with the idea and someone else gets credit for it.

we are allocated less money in the budget to our area than a less established program.

etc., etc.

We must go into ministry knowing that we are serving alongside of fellow human beings who, like us, aren’t perfect. But, we must also know that we serve a God who is always just.

A Just God Even When Ministry Isn’t Fair

We serve a just God who sees all and knows all and always does what is right.

A Just God Though Ministry Isn't Always Fair
He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. (Deut. 32:4)

God may not step into the situation immediately with judgment and correction, but eventually He will right the wrongs. Perhaps we will never see what He does. He may wait until heaven. God is under no obligation to respond to our questions about His ways and timing in exercising His justice. (Take time to read Job 38-42 for God’s response to Job’s “why” questions.) But, we can trust Him to see the big picture and work for our good (Rom. 8:28). He not only has the knowledge and wisdom to know the right timing and way to take care of matters (Isa. 55:9), but He also has the ability to do that which is right and best.

What God Expects of Us in Unfair Situations

Though others may not be fair, God still wants us to do what is right and just. — “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” (Prov. 21:3) We’re accountable before Him for what we do. And, there will be a day of accounting for those who do us wrong. We don’t have to avenge ourselves.

When we truly believe in a just God, we’re able to let go of resentment, revenge, and regret when ministry isn’t fair. When we keep the focus on serving out of love for God and others, we don’t need life and ministry to be fair. It’s when we make it about ourselves, that we struggle. When, however, it isn’t all about ourselves, we can wait for God’s “well done good and faithful servant” knowing that “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you helped his people …” (Heb. 6:10).

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Motivation to Grow in Our Walk with the Lord

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Perhaps you know Christians, maybe even yourself, who don’t seem to be growing in their walk with the Lord. Sadly, some don’t even seem to want to grow. They lack motivation so they rarely read the Bible, pray, engage with fellow believers, etc. Yet, God’s Word encourages us to grow.

Motivation to Grow in Our Walk with the Lord
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Pet. 3:18)

Though none of us will ever arrive at full spiritual maturity in this life and we will err along the way, we should at least “want to” grow. Read Philippians 3:10-14 for the Apostle Paul’s example where he says “I want to know Christ. … Not that I have already obtained all this, … but I press on … I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on …”

Questions to Ask of Ourselves and Others Lacking Motivation to Grow

1) Do we/they truly know the Lord?

We shouldn’t assume everyone who attends our church or Sunday School class is a true believer. It’s possible to talk the talk and appear to walk the walk but not have a personal relationship with the Lord. If not a true believer, then the Holy Spirit doesn’t dwell within to provide the motivation and power to live the Christian life.

2) Do we/they have an adequate understanding of God’s grace?

There’s a reason 2 Peter 3:18, quoted above, says to grow in both knowledge and grace. — “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” (Titus 2:11-12)

Don’t expect that simply knowing what to do will motivate us enough to do it, or that knowing about God will motivate us to want to know Him better. Grace is God doing for us what we can’t do for ourselves. If we don’t have a good sense of how much we need God at the root of all we do, guiding and empowering us, we’ll undoubtedly lack motivation to press on in our walk. Sensing the difficulty of striving to consistently live righteously both on the inside and outwardly, will tend to make us grow weary and give up.

What Are We Doing as a Church to Help People Want to Grow?

God designed the Body of Christ in such a way that we have a part in one another’s growth. — Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph. 4:15-16)

We’re to spur one another on and encourage one another in our walk with the Lord (Heb. 10:24-25; 1 Thess. 5:11). We dispense God’s grace, a vital component to growth, as we serve one another (1 Pet. 4:10). When we get real with one another about where we are spiritually, we can pray for and with one another in such a way that it has a healing effect (James 5:16).

While structuring programs to accomplish some of this can be helpful, we must keep the focus on people over programs. Both large and small group gatherings can be useful but it may also take one-on-one interaction in non-formal settings. Are we willing to invest into people’s lives in such a way that it affects their motivation to know the Lord?

For Help: Getting Spiritually Fit Discipleship Tool

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Giving God Our All?

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God deserves our all — all of who we are in all of what we do. The question we must ask is if we’re giving Him our all from the depths of our being.

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. (Rev. 4:11)

How We Give Back to God What He Deserves

Giving a Worthy God Our All
If we’re going to give a deserving God our all, then in whatever we do, …

we do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus (Col. 3:17)
we do it all for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31).

Whatever it might be, in each and every aspect of what we do, we live like He deserves our all.

And, we do it with the right heart attitude … “giving thanks to God the Father through Him ” (Col. 3:17). We look at the big picture and don’t just live for the moment. That means we sometimes lay aside our freedoms, our rights, for the good of the whole (1 Cor. 10:31-33; Gal. 5:13). We do what we do as unto Him from the heart (Col. 3:23) not out of duty.

Since we’re self-centered by nature, this can be difficult. We can easily become distracted by everything that clamors for our attention. We can get so consumed by the circumstances of this life, both the good and the bad, that we sometimes forget the One who gave us life.

So, how do we keep the focus on Him? How do we give Him our all as He deserves? It won’t happen by our own striving but rather by His grace and the strength He provides for us in any and all situations.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. (1 Cor. 15:10)

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:13)

Giving God Our All from a Life Fully Devoted to Him

It’s going to take a life fully devoted to the Lord, one that loves and trusts Him with all of who we are, to do all we do in His name and for His glory.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (Mk. 12:30)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3:5-6)

Therein comes the motivation and confidence needed. We love Him from the depths of our being because He first loved us (1 Jn. 4:19) and consequently “want to” align with Him in every area of our lives. We commit all our ways to Him because of His incomparably great wisdom and strength (Ps. 145:3; Isa. 40:28; Eph. 1:19-20). This is a God who deserves our all!

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