Join us Wednesday April 5, 2017 at 1pm Central Time as we discuss Finding Interests on our Ministry Models Teleconference. Call 515-604-9000; Access Code 540330.
When Jesus said “The harvest is great…” did He really mean it? Is the harvest still great today? Are there interests who are ready to embrace Jesus, all His Bible truth and unite with His final movement soon?
Evangelist Mark Finley has said that in every part of the world where he has preached the message (which really is everywhere!) he believes at least 5% of the people are ready right now to embrace Jesus and the Adventist message. Baptist researcher Thom Rainer, in his book The Unchurched Next Door reinforced this idea a number of years ago. In spite of recent research that show that America is becoming more and more unchurched the statement of Jesus is still true. “The harvest is great…” Luke 10:2.
So how can we find the 5+%? How can we find receptive and ripe interests? Here are 3 Ministry Models that have given us a steady flow of interests to work with. Remember that a good MODEL can Make Our Difficulties Easy & Light.
- Top Interests. Three Bible case studies from the Book of Acts give us insights into finding our top interests.
- First step. In Acts 8 we read the incredible story of deacon Philip and the Ethiopian official. The Ethiopian had travelled all the way to Jerusalem to worship. He was now reading Isaiah 53 on his trip home. He had taken major steps toward worshiping God and seeking truth. The Lord sent Philip to share with him. The Ethiopian was baptized and more than likely went home to plant the Christian church in his home country. Those who have taken the first step in worshiping God and studying His word are often very receptive to truth. This includes those who visit church on Sabbath morning (we call, text or make a doorstep visit to them within 48 hours), those who request Bible studies and baptism preparation, and those who attend other church or bridge events.
- Pain and/or Change. In Acts 9 we read the story of Saul the persecutor who becomes Paul the missionary to the gentiles. When Paul realized he had been fighting against Jesus in his zeal to serve God he went into a depression where he was neither eating or drinking. He realized his whole life and worldview needed to be radically changed. The Lord sent a reluctant believer, Ananias, to embrace him and show him the way forward and soon he was baptized. When someone is going through tremendous pain (divorce, loss of loved one, loss of job or financial security, serious medical diagnosis, etc.) and/or change (moved to area recently, first child born, new job, recently married, first drivers license, etc.) they often realize that their whole life and worldview needs to change. Wise, if not reluctant, believers (like Ananias) can come close to them, listening, encouraging, affirming and connecting them with other believers and groups in the church.
- Unusual hospitality. In Acts 10 we read about Cornelius, a godly Roman centurion who was seeking for truth. The Lord matched him up with Peter so he and his entire household were ultimately baptized. When someone shows unusual hospitality (often a foreigner) it can be a sign that the Lord is already working on their heart and that they, and perhaps many of their family and relatives are ready to have someone come and spend some special time with them, showing them truth and baptizing a group of people. Starting groups that study the Bible in various languages and providing space for various language Sabbath School groups can provide a way for many to be gathered to Jesus, His Word and into His final movement. A tremendous resource for cross-cultural and cross-language ministry is the website http://www.MyLanguageMyLife.com.
- Relational Interests. We are saved individually but the Lord wants to save all our family and relatives if they are willing. In spite of their flaws, we see many Bible characters who led their entire household to embrace and follow God’s ways. (Noah – Genesis 7:1; Abraham – Genesis 18:17-19; Jacob – Genesis 35:2; Rahab – Joshua 2:18; 6:25; Joshua – Joshua 24:15; etc.). We should seek out the family members and relatives of believers to encourage a commitment to Jesus and His truths.
- New Adventists. When someone embraces the Adventist message and movement they immediately want to share it with their family and friends. We can help them by showing them how to build a prayer list, praying regularly for each person, showing kindness and Christ-likeness, inviting them to various group and social activities, having a house blessing in their home, asking them to host a Bible study group in their home for 2-3 months where they can invite relatives and friends, etc.
- Church Leaders. Often there are family members and relatives of church leaders (Elders, Church Board members, Group leaders, etc.) who have never fully surrendered to the Lord or embraced Bible truth. When we work together in ministry with these leaders we should build positive relationships with all their family members, praying together in their homes, showing from our words and actions that we wish them well in their walk with Jesus, all their relationships and in the ministry and purpose God has called them to.
- Church Members. Every church member can make a prayer list of seven people they would like to see accept Jesus, His Word and His final movement. At least once a year the worship service should include time for members to make their lists and pray for and with each other, including each other’s prayer lists.
- Geographic Interests. When Jesus sent the Seventy out two by two into new territory, He told them to look for a “person of peace” to stay close to (see Luke 10:1-12). When we are working in a specific geographic area (the area around a church building, entering a new unentered community or neighborhood, etc.) how can we find “persons of peace?”
- Bible Study Interest Mailing. Several church organizations, such as Seminars Unlimited (seminarsunlimited.org) can mail Bible study interest cards to zip codes and/or carrier routes you select. For about $1k you can have 5k cards mailed, resulting in an average of 50 requests for Bible studies. Using the 8 week plan this can often result in 3-5 people baptized.
- Media Interest List. Most Adventist media ministries will send a local Adventist pastor or church a list of their interests for specific zip codes.
- Door-to-door. Going 2 by 2 door to door in the neighborhood of the church can be a great way of finding interests. At the door you have about 7 seconds to connect with the person so think through how you will do it. I recommend something like this. “Hi, we’re from the church over there. Have you ever visited any of the programs at the church? We’d like to invite you to [hand flier, info, etc. for a program or activity beginning in the next 1-10 days]. Can we have a short prayer with you before we go to the next house? [If they say yes then ask “Do you have any special prayer requests? Then pray a brief prayer at the door step asking the Lord to bless everyone in this house and asking for God’s leading and intervention in the area of the request.]
- Fishnet app. At the time of this writing a special app is in the final stages of development that allows committed believers who are willing to make visits in their area to see who is interested and then select if they are willing and able to respond to a requested visit within the next 1-3 days. For more information contact you pastor or Conference evangelism coordinator.
“There are many who are reading the Scriptures who cannot understand their true import. All over the world men and women are looking wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears and inquiries go up from souls longing for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit. Many are on the verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be gathered in. An angel guided Philip to the one who was seeking for light and who was ready to receive the gospel, and today angels will guide the footsteps of those workers who will allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify their tongues and refine and ennoble their hearts. The angel sent to Philip could himself have done the work for the Ethiopian, but this is not God’s way of working. It is His plan that men are to work for their fellow men.” {Acts of the Apostles 109}
That’s our divine commission! Let’s go for it!
Related topics:
Inspired Insights on Finding Interests (from Acts of the Apostles p. 109-111)
- This Ethiopian represented a large class who need to be taught by such missionaries as Philip—men who will hear the voice of God and go where He sends them. There are many who are reading the Scriptures who cannot understand their true import. All over the world men and women are looking wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears and inquiries go up from souls longing for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit. Many are on the verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be gathered in. {AA 109.1}
- An angel guided Philip to the one who was seeking for light and who was ready to receive the gospel, and today angels will guide the footsteps of those workers who will allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify their tongues and refine and ennoble their hearts. The angel sent to Philip could himself have done the work for the Ethiopian, but this is not God’s way of working. It is His plan that men are to work for their fellow men. {AA 109.2}
- In the trust given to the first disciples, believers in every age have shared. Everyone who has received the gospel has been given sacred truth to impart to the world. God’s faithful people have always been aggressive missionaries, consecrating their resources to the honor of His name and wisely using their talents in His service. {AA 109.3}
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The unselfish labor of Christians in the past should be to us an object lesson and an inspiration. The members of God’s church are to be zealous of good works, separating from worldly ambition and walking in the footsteps of Him who went about doing good. With hearts filled with sympathy and compassion, they are to minister to those in need of help, bringing to sinners a knowledge of the Saviour’s love. Such work calls for laborious effort, but it brings a rich reward. Those who engage in it with sincerity of purpose will see souls won to the Saviour, for the influence that attends the practical carrying out of the divine commission is irresistible. {AA 109.4}
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Not upon the ordained minister only rests the responsibility of going forth to fulfill this commission. Everyone who has received Christ is called to work for the salvation of his fellow men. “The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come.” Revelation 22:17. The charge to give this invitation includes the entire church. Everyone who has heard the invitation is to echo the message from hill and valley, saying, “Come.” {AA 110.1}
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It is fatal mistake to suppose that the work of soul-saving depends alone upon the ministry. The humble, consecrated believer upon whom the Master of the vineyard places a burden for souls is to be given encouragement by the men upon whom the Lord has laid larger responsibilities. Those who stand as leaders in the church of God are to realize that the Saviour’s commission is given to all who believe in His name. God will send forth into His vineyard many who have not been dedicated to the ministry by the laying on of hands. {AA 110.2}
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Hundreds, yea, thousands, who have heard the message of salvation are still idlers in the market place, when they might be engaged in some line of active service. To these Christ is saying, “Why stand ye here all the day idle?” and He adds, “Go ye also into the vineyard.” Matthew 20:6, 7. Why is it that many more do not respond to the call? Is it because they think themselves excused in that they do not stand in the pulpit? Let them understand that there is a large work to be done outside the pulpit by thousands of consecrated lay members. {AA 110.3}
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Long has God waited for the spirit of service to take possession of the whole church so that everyone shall be working for Him according to his ability. When the members of the church of God do their appointed work in the needy fields at home and abroad, in fulfillment of the gospel commission, the whole world will soon be warned and the Lord Jesus will return to this earth with power and great glory. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14. {AA 111.1}
Future Topics
The topics for our Ministry Models teleconference listed below will rotate between these general categories – Personal/Family, Soul Winning and Pastoring. We will post notes for each topic/teleconference.
2016
- September – Time Management
- October – Increasing Your Baptisms
- November – Planning Your Church Calendar
- December – Goal Setting & Accomplishment
2017
- January – Baptism Preparation
- February – Nominating Committee
- March – Family Time
- April – Finding Interests
- May – Church Board Meetings
- June – New District – Starting Well
- July – New Member Orientation
- August – Mobilizing Members in Ministry
Please join us by phone (whether walking, driving, eating or studying) and let’s see what the Lord does to help us each succeed in our daily walk with Him, all our relationships including our families, and in our ministry and mission. Call 515-604-9000; Access Code 540330.
Dan Serns 