3 ways thinking like an Unbeliever is part of the Great Commission

We all want God to use our churches to reach people for Christ. I do not believe there is anything more important to do with our lives than helping people begin a relationship with Jesus. Our purpose is to point people to Jesus daily.

But I also know many people in our churches are fearful of telling other people about Christ. Jesus made it clear in the Great Commission that evangelism needs to be our priority—but it is not the priority for most Christians. 

For the Great Commission to be your church’s priority, it must be a part of your church’s culture. 

I want to share with you several ways to approach evangelism. They are universal ideals that I believe any church can use to build an evangelistic church culture.

1. Think like an unbeliever
The longer you are a Christian, the more difficult it is to think like a non-Christian. Your perspective changes the longer you are a Christian.

To bridge this gap, we need to spend time with non-Christians so we can ask questions to understand their needs, interests, and objections to the church. The first initial question I asked is, “Are you currently a member of a local church?” If they say yes, I encourage them to support their pastor and church.

What about those who answer no? I tell them I’m not selling anything. I don’t even plan to share the Gospel on the spot. I just want to ask them a series of questions.

• What is the greatest need in your life?
• Why do you think most people do not attend church?
• If you were looking for a church, what would you look for?
• If I was starting a church nearby. What advice would you give me?

Those conversations have a profound impact on how I relate to people and how Carolinas Cornerstone reaches out to unbelievers.

2. Focus on felt needs
The fastest way to build a bridge to the unchurched is to express interest in them and show that you understand the problems they are facing. Felt needs, whether real or imaginary, are a starting point for expressing love to people.

It is not a marketing ideal. I want to know the needs of the people I want to reach because meeting those needs opens the door for evangelism.

I have a conviction that a church can reach any person if you discover the right key to their heart. For some people, that need may be housing or food. For others, the felt need may be in their marriage or their relationship with their kids. You will never know what needs you can meet until you spend time with and ask questions of unbelievers.

3. Let your “mission field” determine your approach.
Be flexible and adapt your methods to the location God has placed you in. What works in one location does not work in the next. I’ve had to learn to adapt.

Jesus did that too. He never had a standard approach to evangelism. He treated each person like an individual. Jesus tailored his approach to the person he was reaching. That is why I have let the unchurched set my evangelistic agenda.

Here is what I mean:

• Programs - Focus your programs, including our sermon series, on the felt needs of the people you want to reach.
• Strategy - You may use contemporary music because it is the kind of music your visitors listen to on the radio.
• Style - Base your church style on the style of your neighborhood, community, or city.
• Goals - If you want to reach as many unbelievers as possible with the Gospel, create your goal around that mission.

Do not sit in a room and devise innovative ways to reach people. Instead, base everything you do on the needs of the people who come to your church. Know your audience.

The best way is to invest in others and then invite them. Be real with them! Any money spent on evangelism is not an expense. It is an investment!

Equipping believers for evangelism needs to become a priority for every church. As we apply these ideals, we can cultivate a culture where outreach becomes the heartbeat of every church individual.

​Remember what Jesus said:

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 
​- Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

Make Every Day Count!

Pastor Barry Yates

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