“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible”
(I Corinthians 9:19)

One way to become a witness is to take a more proactive stance in helping people. Several years ago I was sitting in my Strategy Coordinator training for the International Mission Board. I don’t recall who was speaking or if they actually said the line, but I wrote down in my notes “If you can help people succeed, they will be more open to you.”

Since that time I have tried to learn as much as I can about the needs of the community I serve, in order to identify ways I can help others succeed. In fact my entire marketing strategy is based on the idea of identifying needs before you start developing outreach. Get to know the people. Learn their needs. Link your message to a solution to their needs.

Knowing your audiences and their needs also helps you complete the marketing circle: Match the media to the people. Share the good news with a written marketing plan. Close the loop with follow-up, get feedback, and evaluate your outreach. I could talk about this for hours.

Is there anyone you know you can help succeed?

A Christian should never help someone succeed at something that is wrong (Phil. 4:8). But anything that is wholesome and good for people; anything that would help them, is something a Christian can help others accomplish. This leaves the door open for all kinds of great service. When you serve others they become more open to you. The contact you have with them is positive and as you help them, you develop a relationship that naturally leads to openings for sharing the gospel.

So how can you help someone who is in need? It doesn’t always have to be people who are down-and-out. There are people who need all kinds of help. Where can you lend a hand? Go back to your prayer list of people who need to know about Jesus, is there any way you can be a help to them?

Please no more “relevant ministry” that is irrelevant to the community!

I have been in several situations where the cool pastor of a church plant told me, “Our church is for the radically unchurched” only later to interview their members (who transfered in mostly from other less-cool churches in the area) in a focus group who told me, “I don’t really know any non-Christians”.

Sometimes pastors tell themselves their church is more outreach oriented that it actually is. I think this phenomenon comes from the tendencies of some pastors to read mostly books about reaching the “radically” unchurched, but to spend little time actually engaging in outreach to them.

I am tired of seeing “relevant ministry” that is irrelevant to the community. Relevance has nothing to do with the style of your hair, the type of sound system your church has, or what edgy conferences you attend each year!

Pastor, please lead your church members to get outside the walls of their church building and into their community. Instead of beefing up your building with a new coffee shop nook, or getting that “knock-your-socks-off” image magnification system, spend money on outreach!

Infiltrate with the gospel!

Get involved in your community! If your church becomes a servant of the community, you will also find many open doors for evangelistic outreach. Create opportunities for your church members to start relationships with people who don’t know Jesus.

Your church doesn’t always have to start the ministries that are needed. In fact, if you can, don’t start a ministry in your community if a “secular” version already exists—join the existing organization. Infiltrate with the gospel!

* For example, your church could provide volunteers for the local food pantry. Just by working side-by-side with people who don’t know Jesus, relational evangelism “little opportunities” will abound! As your members work with the other people who also volunteer, they may meet a person who needs Jesus. Besides all the people you can reach who use the services of the pantry!

* Instead of building a gym only members of your church would take advantage of. Use the money to pay for your members to get involved in the local gyms in your community as missionaries. They will be able to share their faith with people they meet there. Also, your members will be healthier and more active in other ways in your church.

* One church wanted to start a motor cycle club in a community where there were very active motor cycle clubs. Rather than starting a Christian biker’s club, members of the church joined the clubs that already existed. They developed a prayer and encouragement support group for Christians who joined the clubs.

* By not starting their own club, the church would not siphon all the Christians out of the existing clubs — but instead, they could be “salt and light” in among the total community of bikers. The church members have more evangelistic opportunity and credibility with bikers when they are members of the standard clubs everyone has heard of. Now that is thinking strategically!

When you do join other groups be sure to set an example through hard work and commitment. Don’t be a half-hearted member, you won’t have the credibility and influence that leads to evangelistic opportunity.

If you crossover take the cross over!

Also, don’t forget the gospel! When your church takes an active stance in getting involved in the community, you need to make sure all your efforts are not just doing good—you need to tell people about the good news!

Some have become enamored so much with social work and have taken on working side-by-side with nonbelieving social progressives that they have lost their zeal to be a witness for Jesus Christ. You need to keep your agenda of proclaiming the gospel. As Paul says, “I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.”

Become a servant, help others succeed!

Source: Chris Forbes, Founder, Ministry Marketing Coach