Thom Rainer (the president of Lifeway Christian Resources) just posted seven characteristics of evangelistic Christians. His list is clear and helpful. He reminds us that evangelism is about people pursuing people for the Glory of God with the Gospel of Christ. Some of the characteristics might fit you, some may not, but by God's grace we can all grow in each. Here is his post in entirety:

For over twenty years I have been researching and studying churches, primarily those in North America. I had the joy of serving as senior pastor in four churches where God blessed with evangelistic growth. I have written over twenty books about the church in America.

I am not giving you my credentials to impress you, but simply to share that my life’s passion has been leading and learning about evangelistic churches. At this point in my life and ministry, however, I realize that I have not given sufficient attention to one of the primary characteristics of evangelistic churches. The Great Omission

It is so obvious. Indeed it is so clear that I am surprised at my neglect of this factor. Stated simply, the evangelistic churches that I have researched for the past twenty years have one or more highly evangelistic Christians.

I know. The previous statement is no great revelation. It is almost stating the obvious. But, if it is reality, why are we not hearing more about these Christians who seem to have a passion for evangelism? Why are we not doing a better job of telling their stories?

In this short article I hope to address this great omission.

Seven Characteristics

It is inevitable that, when we do research on evangelistic churches, we learn about one or more members in the church who, to use the book title by Charles H. Spurgeon, embody the traits of "The Soul Winner." Oftentimes one of those members is the pastor. But we have also seen many laypersons who are themselves soul winners.

In our interviews with these people, or with those who tell us about the soul winners, we began to discern some clear patterns. We called those patterns “the seven characteristics of highly evangelistic Christians.”

1. They are people of prayer. They realize that only God can convict and convert, and they are totally dependent upon Him in prayer. Most of the highly evangelistic Christians spend at least an hour in prayer each day.

2. They have a theology that compels them to evangelize. They believe in the urgency of the gospel message. They believe that Christ is the only way of salvation. They believe that anyone without Christ is doomed for a literal hell.

3. They are people who spend time in the Word. The more time they spend in the Bible, the more likely they are to see the lostness of humanity and the love of God in Christ to save those who are lost.

4. They are compassionate people. Their hearts break for those who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They have learned to love the world by becoming more like Christ who has the greatest love for the world.

5. They love the communities where God has placed them. They are immersed in the culture because they desire for the light of Christ to shine through them in their communities.

6. They are intentional about evangelism. They pray for opportunities to share the gospel. They look for those opportunities. And they see many so-called casual encounters as appointments set by God.

7. They are accountable to someone for their evangelistic activities. They know that many good activities can replace Great Commission activities if they are not careful. Good can replace the best. So they make certain that someone holds them accountable each week, either formally or informally, for their evangelistic efforts.

The “Secret” of Evangelistic Churches

The secret is really no secret at all. Ultimately, evangelistic churches see more persons become Christians through the passionate efforts of highly evangelistic Christians. More than any programs. More than any church events. More than anything else, we are the instruments God has chosen to use.

Sometimes we ask the question "What is my church doing to become more evangelistic?" But the better question is "What am I doing to become more evangelistic?"

Charles H. Spurgeon was right. We need more soul winners.

We need more highly evangelistic Christians.

photo credit: Kerem Tapani via photopin cc

It's that time of year again. When people dig out green and adorn themselves with shamrocks and celebrate the memory of Saint Patrick. What I knew about this day when I was a kid can be reduced to, wear green or you get pinched. As I got older my knowledge of the day increased to, wear green or you get pinched and drink green beer. Fortunately, St. Patrick (who technically isn't a saint) has way more to teach us than how to dress and I pray encourages us to put the beer down and go preach the Gospel. Here are a few blog posts that may help you learn more about Patrick, a man who loved Jesus, who loved others, and preached the Gospel so others could love Jesus.

What Evangelicals Can Learn From Saint Patrick

St. Patrick: One Of The Greatest Missionaries Who Ever Lived

"You then my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have hear from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others as well."

This is the ground and call. Strength from grace. Graced to grow others. Paul goes on and applies this grace worked out to men who embrace they are soldiers, athletes, and farmers.

"Share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him."

Battle. Fight. Fight for your cities. Fight for your families. Fight for your great grand-babies. Fight for those that have no voice. Fight for those who don’t even know how to fight for themselves. Battle that insidious enemy the devil. He has been crushed under the heal of our King. Battle in the gracing strength of the Spirit of God. It is not by might nor by power by [His] Spirit says the Lord of Hosts. You battle not in your power but of God Himself. May God keep your eyes fixed on the mission by keeping your eyes fixed to the Cross. May no civilian pursuits bewitch you. May the pleasures, riches, and cares of this world not choke the fruit God is growing.

Why fight? Why battle? Why labor as exiles and warriors here?

"Our aim is to please the one who enlisted us."

The one? Jesus Christ. Enlisted by His blood. We are blood bought soldiers for His glory by His grace in His strength.

"An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules." Labor well. Train hard. Don’t take shortcuts. May we be men who train and beat our bodies for a crown that will never fade. One given by our King. May we look forward to the crown of righteousness, which the righteous one will award to us, and not only to us but to all who loved His appearing.

"It is the hardworking farmer who ought to have first share of the crops." God has reminded me this week how lazy I can be, and how much time I waste. The farmer gets up early and labors until late with no one watching. He plants in faith. He waters in faith. Trusting that God alone gives growth. He weeds his field so what grows produces a great harvest. May God allow us to be hard working farmers who get to partake in the harvest.

May we plant the seeds of the Gospel. May we look at this globe as God’s field and ask Him where the field is largest, the workers fewest, and may we go work that ground. Holy Spirit bust up the dry and barren soil of our cities. Holy Spirit make ground ready for the Gospel to be planted. For your glory God and the good of your people.

"Think over what I say for the Lord will give you understanding in everything." God by the Spirit please keep these verses in our minds and hearts. May we meditate on your word day and night. May we inhale these God-breathed Words and feel strong by your grace. Give us fire in our bones that bursts forth in preaching and planting of Gospel-centered Christ-exalting churches. For your fame, in Christ’s name. Amen.