Visibility Revisited

visibility evangelism

consistency is the key...

over the years I've read just about every book concerning effective evangelism, all point to one important key... consistency

David Wilkerson in NY was always there...going, talking, encouraging, taking risks.

Dino Rizzo has developed Servolution that is sweeping the USA and parts of the world. They are helping others redefine who they are to their community.

Billy Graham really didn't change...simple, direct to the point month by month year by year.

Loren Cunningham mobilized the youth of his generation encouraging them to pray, believe, to serve, to care.

Steve Sjogren served, and served and still serves and encourages others to do the same.

Mike Pilivochi and Soul Survivor UK serve, worship and share the good news, impacting Manchester, London, now on to Durban.


How do you know your serving has impacted a community? 
People you talk to begin to define your church in a positive manner. hint: we are all defined by our community, both positive and negative...we can create a positive vibe by serving our way into the heart of our community.

Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson in The Externally Focused Church, their big provocative question was “If your church were to close its doors, would anyone in
the community notice — would anyone in the community care?.

If you want to know how your community defines your church, just ask.

A sample question: When you hear the name of our church (say name of church)what comes to your mind?

When I was living in a city in FL and asked the question, we were defined as the church that no longer existed. That definition has changed now, they are well known as a positive forward moving church...having four different locations and growing.

In their(Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson) new book The Quest they ask, “How can we be the best church for our community?”


A few months ago, lost phone, went to phone provider with an old phone to activate..i was asked, 'what name is your phone under?' I said, the Dayton Vineyard...the lady standing next to me exclaims: 'oh you're that pretty good church that serves the community. I've heard about what you guys do.' 'What have your heard?' I asked. she then defined us with a list of the positive things she and others have heard and seen...I reply,' yep that's us we're just pretty good.'

How does this happen? Simple 19 years of hard work. sowing, caring, praying, going, in season and out of season. 

We are consistent and have gained favor with our community.

God's Favor is what propelled Daniel, Esther, Joseph and Jesus to impact their community. In fact the early church 'had the favor of all the people' and Jesus 'grew in favor with God and man.'
 
How do you gain favor?
1. You ask God for it? Favor is a gift that increases with character.

Favor brought Daniel, Joseph, Esther, Jesus before Kings, shut mouths of lions, delivered a man out of prison, spared a race of people, and crucified a savior...all because of God's favor.

2. You serve where you are, with what you have. Do a word study on the phrase good deeds...The study is pretty revealing, especially in the pastoral epistles...(the epistles were written as instructional guideline for local church pastors... Timothy and Titus)
 
3. You serve with the attitude of Christ. see Phil. Chapter 2. 
Serving with humility, genuine love, with a great attitude, and with a servant heart opens hearts to the good news.


Jesus said, don't hide your light under a bushel basket... let your light shine in such a way that when they see your good deeds they will glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Peter said, let your good deeds shine in such away that they will glorify God on the day of His visitation.

What's visibility evangelism?...good deeds, done in the name of Jesus, consistently with the love and grace that God provides, being out in the community in which we live, day in day out, moment by moment = Consistent = High Visibility.

There is no great secret why our pretty good church is thriving, and growing...it's simple: someone is praying, someone is serving, someone is loving, someone is caring, someone is going out into the community and sharing Gods love to the people in their sphere of influence in practical ways. Over time seeds are planted and the harvest is realized.

How are you being defined in your city? Your work place? Your community?