The Great-omission (not a characteristic of a “soul-winner”)
“Soul-Winner”! That’s a term I grew up hearing in the church we went to as a family. In fact, we used to go every Tuesday night out “soul-winning”! I think it was Charles Spurgeon who coined the term originally in his book, “the soul winner“. In case you don’t know, (and that is fine if you don’t), soul-winner refers to evangelism, or better known as sharing your faith.
Anyway, I have been thinking about evangelism a lot lately. I feel like our church has been a little weak in this area of sharing our faith. The survey we are doing as a church (code 51516) is pretty eye-opening for me, mostly for my own lack of “soul-winning”.
I was reading this morning in the Gospel of Mark and the 3 parables Jesus tells are all about scattering seed. Basically, that is our simple command to obey…scatter seed! I will admit that I focus more on the soils than the scattering, but that is not mine or yours to own (4:28 confirms this). So, do you know what happens next…”the great omission”. We have been commissioned to scatter not to omit scattering. We are promised if we sow, we will reap. Do you know the best part of reaping? We always reap later and greater! So to reap a great harvest we must sow seed!!
Do you want to know if you are a “soul-winner”? See if you have any of the following characteristics:(adapted from an article by Thom Rainer)
1. Soul winners are people of prayer. How much are your prayers for the lost to be saved?
2. Soul winners have a theology that compels them to evangelize. Do you believe that anyone without Christ is doomed for a literal hell?
3. Soul winners are people who spend time in the Word. The more time they spend in the Bible, the more they see the love of God for those who are lost.
4. Soul winners are compassionate people. Their heart breaks for those who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
5. Soul winners love the communities where God has placed them. They are immersed in the culture because they desire for the light of Christ to shine through them in their communities.
6. Soul winners are intentional about evangelism. They pray and look for opportunities to share the gospel.
7. Soul winners are accountable to someone for their evangelistic activities. They know that many good activities can replace Great Commission activities if they are not careful. Good can replace the best.
The “secret” of evangelistic churches –The secret is really no secret at all. Evangelism is not a program. Evangelism is not an event. Evangelistic churches are Evangelistic persons!
a question for you: What am I doing to become more evangelistic?
LEARNINGS TO SHARE... 
May 3, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Mike,
Evangelism is a passion for Emerson and I.. I love to share God’s word with people! Share the Love of Jesus! He loved us first and we need to share that with everyone! I love that our lives have changed and it all started with Evangelism! Not just ours but our children as well! Praise the Lord for all he has done with our family and what he continues to do!
May 3, 2010 at 2:58 pm
i can tell Shinnett that you guys love evangelism, it shows…you guys are probably the most inviting people we have, i hope many others will follow your examples!! Love you guys…
May 3, 2010 at 1:34 pm
First off i just want to say Mike you are a great pastor and a great friend. Serving and Evangelism we need new members in this area of outreach people who want to help other people who want to bring others to CHRIST people who are not afraid to spend a little of there precious time helping others find what we have. Forgive me if i sound a little harsh but our JESUS does say follow me and i will make you fishers of men MATTHEW 4:19 here is another therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the father the son and of the holy spirit and teaching them every thing i have commanded you and surely i am with you till the very end of age MATTHEW 28: 19-20 our job on this earth is not to fulfill our lives with worldly things such as a new car new house or to see who can get to the top the fastest.JESUS clearly says go and make disciples of all nations that doesn’t mean one or two people this means the church that is all of us we need to come together and start touching lives on a personal level with other people.MIKE I LOVE AND I AM ON YOUR SIDE.
May 3, 2010 at 3:01 pm
i hear you my man!! you’re preaching to the choir here and i couldn’t agree with you more…Paul told Timothy ( an experienced pastor telling an inexperienced pastor), in 2 Tim. 4:5, “do the work of an evangelist”. we must, no, we MUST be fishers of men!! i fear too many people focus on the following part and not the fishing part of Matt. 4:19!! Thanks for the support and love, i love you guys too and am on your side!!