ThomRainer.com

Thom Rainer is the Founder and CEO of Church Answers

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Books
  • Podcasts
    • Rainer on Leadership
    • Revitalize & Replant
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • RSS

April 27, 2018 6 Comments

Six Myths about Outreach in the Local Church – Rainer on Leadership #427

Podcast Episode #427

SUBSCRIBE: iTunes • RSS • Stitcher • TuneIn Radio • Google Play • iHeart Radio

There are many myths that are pervasive which keep church members from actively inviting guests to church or initiating gospel conversations with them. Today, we debunk them.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

  • Following up with guests is not the same thing as church outreach.
  • I’m afraid too many churches prematurely abandoned systematic outreach and didn’t replace it with anything.
  • Non-Christians are often more receptive to the gospel than we think they will be.
  • Don’t be afraid to use theological words in your preaching, just explain them when you do.

The six myths we cover are:

  1. Outreach is the same as visiting guests.
  2. If you invite them, they will not come.
  3. The majority of non-Christians are resistant to the gospel.
  4. The sermon cannot be too deep or it will turn off non-Christians
  5. Attractional outreach is the most effective.
  6. Most church members will reach out to their friends, neighbors, and acquaintances naturally.

Episode Sponsors

The ministry landscape is changing, and the need for biblical training is more necessary than ever. It’s time to get your Master of Divinity degree. The M.Div —Midwestern Seminary’s flagship degree program — is the primary track for ministry preparation. At just 81 hours, the Midwestern M.Div offers a complete foundation for full-time ministry leaders, offering everything you need, and nothing you don’t. Join other students in vibrant Kansas City as you train in a unique collaborative environment focused on the local church or study online in your current ministry context. Midwestern Seminary is developing a discipleship culture devoted to the local church and committed to God’s unchanging Word. Why not start your training today?

Find out more at mbts.edu/mdiv.


Vanderbloemen Search GroupOur friends at Vanderbloemen Search Group help churches and ministries build great teams by finding their key staff, but did you know they have a ton of resources around team building? Their newest addition is TheCultureTool.com, a free comprehensive staff engagement survey to help you build, run, and keep a great team. It’s brand new and still in beta, so check out TheCultureTool.com to be on the cutting edge of this new tool that will help you improve your church staff culture.

Visit TheCultureTool.com to learn more.


Feedback

If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free copy of Becoming a Welcoming Church.


Resources Mentioned in Today’s Podcast

  • Becoming a Welcoming Church
  • We Want You Here
  • The Unchurched Next Door
  • Invite Your One

Related

Comments

  1. Rob Betts says

    April 27, 2018 at 6:41 am

    Hi
    Do you provide transcripts of these videos? It would really be helpful, as I find it far quicker to read (rather than listen) to discover the points of most interest to me? It was also be great to share these with others in a written transcript form.
    Many thanks
    Rob

    Reply
  2. Timothy Palla says

    April 27, 2018 at 9:34 am

    Just from reading the text above (I haven’t listened to the podcast yet), I have to say a loud and clear, “AMEN!” I began a new outreach ministry this past week which has debunked every single one of these “myths.”

    Reply
  3. theartist says

    April 27, 2018 at 9:45 am

    I am listening to the comments. I don’t think it was too kind to say “well, maybe a few people are dumb” even in jest when referring to the preaching when guests are present. But overall, this is good stuff.

    Reply
  4. Gary says

    April 28, 2018 at 11:35 am

    Hi everyone,

    I agree on the transcripts. They are very helpful.

    Dr John Piper and the Desiring God website team regularly post transcripts, so there is probably some software available to convert the audio to text.

    Thanks

    Gary
    Southern NH, USA

    Reply
  5. Gary says

    April 28, 2018 at 11:44 am

    Hi again all,

    I am from New England and I do find that many people do not come to visit local church worship services when I invite them.

    However, I find many people are open to talk about Jesus and are happy to hear about my experiences in my local church.

    My approach has been to try and develop deeper relationships and pray for the people that I am reaching out to.

    Are things different in other parts of the country?

    Thanks

    Gary
    Southern NH, USA

    Reply
    • Matt says

      April 30, 2018 at 9:36 am

      Gary, I’m north of you (Baptist Church of Franklin), and I agree with you. It’s rocky territory up here. Definitely post-Christian, as opposed to (I’m guessing) the Midwest/Bible Belt areas Dr. Rainer tends to speak to (which at least still have some element of cultural Christianity, even among the unchurched).

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Interested in becoming a sponsor at ThomRainer.com? Click Here.


Listen to the Latest Episode of Rainer on Leadership

Categories

Archives

@ThomRainer

My Tweets

Copyright © 2021 · Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in