Leadership Nexus :: Networking together for effectiveness in God’s work;
Making Disciples for Christ
Through Effective
Church Leadership

Motivation, Training & Planning
Workable EvangelismFor a local church

Preparation
This training begins with preparation through prayer and planning by the leaders and clergy of the church.  It is suggested that they read Dr. Pierson’s book Needs-Based Evangelism prior to the event.  Dr. Pierson usually meets with the leaders and pastor on Saturday afternoon or evening to review the plans and answer any questions. 

Motivation
An important aspect of this type of event is motivation.  Previous worship announcements and newsletter articles will begin this motivation, but the final push to generate enthusiasm for attending the event is to have Dr. Pierson preach the sermon that morning  possibly speak to a joint adult Sunday School session.  All this sets up the sense of priority for evangelism in the church.

Schedule
Starting mid-afternoon we hold a 2-hour congregational training session which includes material from Dr. Pierson’s newest book Tell, the third book in a series entitled Go Fish! put together by the United Methodist Publishing House.  Dr. Pierson will also incorporate the new Rethink Church material from United Methodist Communications.

This meeting also includes training in all the areas of reaching new people including hospitality, good communications, worship and invitational events, etc.  This is followed by a simple supper and short fellowship time. 

The rest of the evening’s training can be described in six parts as we begin an evangelistic planning session for the whole church and break into small groups. The way in which we discuss and present the ideas that are generated is fun and helps people get involved and develop a passion for this throughout the church!

  1. Celebrate the strengths of your church, discussing what you are currently doing in evangelistic ministries that is working well.

  2. Review the things that need to be improved or refocused, and discuss ways to do that by reflecting on the teachings done earlier.

  3. Brainstorm opportunities and ideas for evangelism in your community by reflecting on what the needs are and what it would take for the church to provide those needs.

  4. Receive God’s guidance to plan and begin these areas of new ministries  that will speak the God Story to the community by meeting people’s needs.

  5. Decide which programs the local church leaders wish to begin working on, setting a priority for improving the present evangelism program and starting new programs to reach new people.

  6. Ask people to volunteer for the area they will be involved in by thinking about which idea they are most passionate about.  Everyone present should take at least one job!

We close with prayer and the day ends with the congregation motivated, instructed
and involved in making things happen!

Follow-up
Dr. Pierson will then have a follow-up meeting the next morning with church leaders to establish how to keep the program in place and thriving.  As part of the cost, he is available by telephone and email consultation once a week for the first two months and as needed for the next two years.