Comments on: How to Motivate People to Do Outreach

By: Ted Goupil

Ted Goupil — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:00:47 +0000

I’ve watched several of your videos. I have found that they are vague and not to the point. You say that you will give an idea and then I don’t see the idea. You spend too much time leading up to what you are going to present and then your presentation goes no where.
Still waiting for new ideas.

By: Ken Boggs

Ken Boggs — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:49:59 +0000

The language you use is very helpful in changing the way people think about outreach.

By: Craig Smith

Craig Smith — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 04:49:19 +0000

Thank you, Steve. Reminding us that evangelism can be done many ways, in fact, in every way and that often the small ways are best, is one of the greatest motivators I’ve seen. No training, no experience, just a heart for Jesus and for others is all we need–how encouraging. Helping us to show our Lord as giving and not demanding (free bottles of water? And not asking for anything in return? Now there’s an opening for a question), laughing and not jeering, fun and not flip, loving and not needy. I am very grateful. This is great stuff.

By: Jeff Palmberg

Jeff Palmberg — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:10:15 +0000

Bruce:
Good point. The trick is to figure out what approach will work best: getting the people on fire for Jesus and self-motivated to share his love with others, or give them a taste of serving others in His name and let that “low-risk, high-grace” experience sweep them up.

I recently had a conversation with a church member who’s a big fan of the “Way of the Master” type of street evangelism. He is very passionate about getting the truth out there — maybe at the expense of alienating more people than the ones who respond positively. In other words, this friend of mine has a real love for Jesus and a passion that overcomes risk factors and institutional apathy, but he admits to having very few positive responses to his evangelism efforts. It all goes both ways.

My personal opinion is that if we give our congregation a taste of these low-risk, high-grace SE projects, they will experience the joy of sharing God’s love with others in a way that seems doable for them. Most Christians really want to share Christ with other — they’re just intimidated by what they believe that means. Once they realize that it is very doable, they’ll feel relief and joy that will spur up the love for Jesus to a new level.

By: Bruce Renich

Bruce Renich — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:29:16 +0000

Steve, where does a passion for Jesus fit into all this? Seems to me that such a passion would overcome a lot of the risk factor and institutional apathy talked about here. Seems to me that if we could figure this out, we would largely solve the motivation issue. Which is the cart and which is the horse? I know the structure and the motivation go hand in hand, but low risk and high grace can be done without any sense of love for Jesus and then what would that produce??

By: Lynda Woebkenberg

Lynda Woebkenberg — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:48:51 +0000

Hey Steve,
Good video. I loved it in the early days at VCC when we gave everybody at the church a twenty dollar bill and we went out to see how many people we could touch with that $20. Great Great FUN! Keep up the good work!

By: Christine Trickey

Christine Trickey — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:12:14 +0000

The words that you used several times “low risk – high grace” projects takes the fear factor out of outreach. Also, you mentioned keeping it to 90 minutes or less. That is doable. Thanks!

By: Jane

Jane — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 10:05:20 +0000

Living in the UK it’s not only apathy that’s a problem but British reserve, especially among older church goers. Prayer is so important because the Holy Spirit will guide you to what’s right for your congregation and for your community if you listen in prayer. Our Easter give-aways of Hot Cross Buns and Daffodils went brilliantly! Any ideas for Pentecost?

By: Rebecca Cagle, Professional Life Coach

Rebecca Cagle, Professional Life Coach — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 04:03:36 +0000

Hi Steve:
Overall great video. You look too serious. Show us some more of that Steve Sjogren smile and enthusiasm for serving God that you are so well known for.
God bless you my friend!

By: Jeff Palmberg

Jeff Palmberg — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 01:38:40 +0000

Hilary:
While this isn’t the focus of this particular video suggestion, I wanted to address your point about trying to convince busy people to get up and out on a Saturday morning when they would really prefer to sleep in.
I believe the key is to do an SE *in the place* of what you would otherwise be doing. Is it possible to have a small group do an SE at the same time, but instead of their regular meeting? How about a Sunday School class using that time to prepare a give-away for an SE in place of their lesson (maybe a better lesson in the process)? I have a friend whose church canceled worship services one week in order to go out and serve others.
We’re all living in an over-scheduled, busy world (often times our churches are guilty, too). Simplify the church schedule in order to free people up to do this.

Now, if I can only put my own advice into practice!