EP 176 – RECAPTURING EVANGELISM W/ DR. MATT QUEEN
The boys are back with another EP from their time at Southwestern Baptist Seminary. This time with special guest, Dr. Matt Queen who recently released a new book, Recapturing Evangelism. We celebrated Bob’s honorary Doctorate, and then got down to the serious business of discussing evangelism with one of our favorite all time Evangelists, Dr. Queen, here are some of the highlights.
Why is evangelism difficult?
- There are some who are for evangelism-as long as someone else does it
- We often confuse things that are not evangelism, with evangelism: like inviting people to church (which is good) but the gospel has not been shared.
- We don’t plan or make time to evangelize
- We celebrate baptisms (which is great) and define it as success and then win. However, success is sharing the gospel (evangelizing) it is important to celebrate that.
It is important to establish evangelistic patterns or rhythms: “Those who fail to plan time to evangelize will fail to find time to evangelize.” — Dr. Matt Queen
How can I take steps to become intentional in evangelism?
- One, take a quantitative approach-define a goal of how many times you want to share the gospel.
- Identify what is an opportunity to share the gospel. It can be as simple as identifying taking the opportunity to speak about the gospel when you: see a person wearing a cross, taking public transportation, or to use a catch phrase: “Have you heard any good news today?”
How do we cultivate a culture of evangelism in a dying or declining church?
- Understand-not everyone in your church will “buy in” and start evangelizing, but some will support you.
- Visit and take others with you, teaching them how to share the gospel. “If your people don’t see or hear of you evangelizing-they will not likely do evangelism.”
How do I share the gospel with those whom I am concerned about losing the relationship?
- Repent-confess that you’re sorry for not sharing the gospel with them and ask their forgiveness.
- Reconnect with those in your relationship circles who you have shared the gospel before-and just check in and see if they have changed their thinking and ask; “Would it be okay if we had another conversation?”
Some the best quotes of the episode:
“People are more ready to hear the gospel than we are ready to share it.”
“If you know enough of the gospel to be saved by it, you know enough of the gospel to share it.”
Check out the rest of this EP with Dr. Queen for more great insights about evangelism in the local church.
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