One of the things Missouri Baptists do well is invest cooperative resources in their smaller-church pastors through an event tailored just for them. Once again this month, mb125 exceeded the cap on the number of participants of this special retreat designed to equip and encourage.
Two of the key speakers were Chuck and Rhonda Kelley of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Kelley is a legend in regards to evangelism and discipleship. Part of his message included remarks that he made earlier this year about the importance of intentionality with evangelism.
Kelley explained that making disciples of all nations is the clear teaching of the Great Commission. “Churches have to make disciples of the lost in their communities,” Kelley said. “As we penetrate our neighborhoods, we earn the opportunity to get the gospel to the ends of the earth.”
How do we do what we are called to do? Kelley further explained that the solution is a deep commitment to personal evangelism and a dedication to intentional discipleship.
“The Gospel traveled all the way from the land of the Bible through much of the world by word of mouth,” Kelley said. “It was shared ‘life to life’ long before the advent of mass communication, and this ‘life to life’ sharing is still the best way to reach people for Christ.”
Kelley continued, “How do we go forward? We have to engage in gospel conversations outside the walls of the church as we are living our lives … as we are going about this city. If you cannot plant the seeds of the gospel in the lives of people, there will be no harvest.”
Let’s get back to inviting people to come to Jesus!
My friend Ernest Easley is professor of evangelism at Union University in Jackson, Tenn., and former pastor of formidable churches in Texas and Georgia. Last week, he wrote for Baptist Press his observations about the recent Southern Baptist Convention in St. Louis.
He noted a lot of talk about evangelism from the platform, the panel discussions and the mission board reports. As we all heard, Easley noted the repeated bemoaning about declining trends in our churches. Chuck Kelley has been communicating about these same trends for years.
Easley wrote, “Plenty of people are attempting to explain the decline. Some say it’s because so many of our churches are not filing their annual report, thus skewing the numbers. Others say the decline is theologically based while still others say it’s methodological. One thing is for sure: It’s time we get back to inviting people to come to Jesus.”
When God said to Noah in Genesis 7:1, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation,” God extended a public invitation to Him.
When Jesus encountered the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:21, He said, “… and come, follow Me.” Jesus extended a public invitation to follow Him.
C.E. Autrey, in his book “The Theology of Evangelism,” wrote, “The primary purpose of the message of evangelism is to call men to a personal relationship with God.” Autrey, a former SBC leader in evangelism, went on to say, “If the church quits calling on people to decide, then death is certain. The church must never turn from inviting men to an encounter with Christ. The people of God have no choice but to keep a strong emphasis on confronting the lost, privately and publically, with the gospel and calling on them to decide.”
The Master’s plan is for God’s people (not just the preachers) to be intentional about discovering and conversing with people who need to know Jesus. There is only one way to come to God and that is by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus. However, there are a myriad of ways to invite people to come to Jesus.
Easley continues, “How are we to move forward in fulfilling the Great Commission without inviting the lost to Jesus? The God who initiates a relationship with us and then invites us into that relationship has commissioned us to become the inviters, as we invite the lost to Christ. The invited are now the inviters!
“Regarding the public invitation:
“First, give it consistently. When your members bring a friend to worship, they should know that a public invitation will be given. Be consistent!
“Second, give it creatively. There are various ways to give a public invitation. Be creative!
“Third, give it clearly. Explain in simple terms what you’re asking people to do. Be clear!
“Southern Baptists: Let’s get back to inviting people to come to Jesus!”