International Graduate School of Leadership

Steve Hobson

Church Health
Session 17 & 18

CORE FUNCTIONS:
Loving Relationships & Need Meeting Evangelism
Overview:
The Church . . . as the Household of God offers loving nurture to each other; and
. . . as the Holy Nation of God extends His truth and grace into the world.
Objectives:

By the end of this session you should be able to.....

1. Explain four measurable aspects of loving relationships that relate to the health of the church.
2. Explain the six stages of becoming and evangelistic church.
3. Describe the six different styles of personal evangelism.

Sources:

Barna, George. Evangelism That Works: How to Reach Changing Generations with the Unchanging Gospel.
Ventura, CA: Regal, 1995.
Cole, Neil. Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. 2005.
Drummond, Lewis A. Reaching Generation Next: Effective Evangelism in Today's Culture. Grand Rapids,
MI : Baker, 2002.
Getz, Gene. Building Up One Another. Wheaton, IL: Victor Press, 1976.
_________. Loving One Another. Wheaton, IL: Victor Press, 1979.
_________. Encouraging One Another. Wheaton, IL: Victor Press, 1981.
Hybels, Bill and Mark Mittelberg. Becoming a Contagious Christian. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994.
Kallenberg, Brad J. Live to Tell : Evangelism for a Postmodern Age. Grand Rapids, MI : Brazos Press, 2002.
Lewis, Robert and Rob Wilkins. The Church of Irresistible Influence. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. 2003.
* McCloskey, Mark. Tell It Often - Tell It Well: Making the Most of Witnessing Opportunities. Nashville:
Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1992.
* McIntosh, Gary L. and R. Daniel Reeves. Thriving Churches in the Twenty-first Century: Ten Life-giving
Systems for Vibrant Ministry. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2006.
McManus, Erwin. An Unstoppable Force: Daring to Become the Church God Had In Mind. Loveland, CO:
Group Publishing. 2001.
* Mittelberg, Mark. Building Contagious Church : Revolutionizing the Way we View and do Evangelism.
Grand Rapids, MI : Zondervan Publishing House, 2001.
Pardue, Frank. Sessions Loving Relationships and Need Oriented Evangelism from Developing a
Healthy Church. Unpublished class notes. International Graduate School of Leadership, 2006.
Pippert, Becky. Out of the Salt Shaker & Into the World. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979.
Richardson, Rick. Evangelism Outside the Box: New Ways to help People Experience the Good News.
Downers Grove, IL : IVP, 2000.
Rusaw, Rick and Eric Swanson. The Externally Focused Church. Loveland, CO: Group Publishing. 2004.
Sjogren, Steve. A Conspiracy of Kindness: A Refreshing New Approach to Sharing the Love of Jesus with
Others. Ann Arbor, MI: Vine Books, 1993.

Introduction:
Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you
are my disciples, if you love one another. (Jesus in Jn 13:34-35)
Father, . . . May they be brought into complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have
loved them even as you have loved me. (Jesus praying in Jn 17:23, see also 17:20-23)

Look how they love one another! (the cry of first century enemies of the church)
Yet NCD research in parts of Asia has shown this core function often has the lowest score. Why?
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---------------- LOVING RELATIONSHIPS ---------------MEASURING LOVING RELATIONSHIPS (NCD STYLE) INVOLVES FOUR MAIN DIMENSIONS:
OK Assessing the experience of a joyful and trusting atmosphere (Phil 1:25; 1 Thes 1:6)
OK Checking the development of authentic, interdependent community (Grk koinonia having in
common) translated fellowship a term used for a business partnership Phil 1:5-7 (see One Another list)
Lower Measuring the degree to which people feel affirmed and encouraged (Heb 3:12-13; 10:24-25)
Lower Assessing the practice of intentional conflict resolution (Mt 7:1-5; Gal 6:1-3; Mt 5:32-24; 18:15-20)
Healthy individuals have the capacity to love. (See Who I Am in Christ at end)
a. Our love relationship with God is the well spring of love for others (1 Jn 3:14; 4:18-21).
b. Develop integrity in our heart, words, and actions being consistent, not being false (Eph 4:25-32).
c. Learn good communication skills both speaking and listening (James 1:19; Prov 10:19).
d. Love others by faith with Gods love, in obedience to Him, the Spirit born love (Gal 5:22; 1 Cor 13).
e. Deal with unforgiveness unresolved conflicts issues in our past. People (including pastors) often
struggle with unresolved conflict.
The church is to be a community that demonstrates Christs love for the world. (see One Anothering at end)
a. Healthy relationships show Christ alive in the church (Acts 2:42-47).
b. In the worship service, Pastors and leaders can build an atmosphere of love through their own
appropriate display of affection and allowing others to express experiences of community publicly.
c. Small groups are the best place to build relationships, affirm and encourage each other.

They provide ways for people to get to know each other better personal interaction, practicing the
one anothers, and having fun together.

They encourage people to develop trust and be real speak the truth in love, maintain
confidentiality, extend grace to one another.

They provide ways to support each other knowing each others successes and in crises.

They provide a context to work through conflict - a natural part of drawing closer!

d. Reconciliation is a necessary part of loving relationships. It involves commitment, realizing your own
faults, forgiving others before God, meeting fact to face, confession of wrongs, lovingly showing the
other his/her offense, and forgiveness shared face-to-face. This may take time and require a third party.
e. The signs of an friendly, embracing church are:

That visitors are welcomed and followed up.

Seekers and believers are integrated together in appropriate contexts.

Relationships remain open and avoid the formation of cliques.

People are sponsored into relationships (brought into groups, matched up, encouraged).

f. Biblical Community includes a compassion for the lost and a desire to help those in need.
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12 Principles for Healthy Interpersonal Relationships

Logan & Clegg
1. Assign priority time and emotional energy to the relationships you want to develop.
2. Give and take both parties should receive from the relationship and give back to it. Find out
what is meaningful for your friend and do acts of kindness accordingly.
3. Balance time spent together with time spent with others invite others into the relationship.
4. Balance time spent alone with time spent with your friend give the other person and yourself
personal space.
5. Maintain open communication speak the truth in love; be honest, vulnerable and transparent
in your communication.
6. Cultivate trust and intimacy.
7. Express feelings of appreciation and affection for your friend.
8. Develop the art of active listening.
9. Give perspective, ask questions, encourage and support, but dont make decisions for others or
try to live their lives for them.
10. Dont try and change other people accept them and focus on changing yourself.
11. Also be your own person dont give up your uniqueness to blend in. Maintain healthy
personal boundaries.
12. Respect the other persons boundaries and needs.

---------------- NEED

MEETING EVANGELISM ----------------

A church needs to integrate evangelistic purpose into three key areas of its life: Prayer, Care, Share.
PRAYER
Remove spiritual hindrances to evangelism (and deal with fear).
a. Restore passion for Christ & His church through Christ centered preaching/teaching, worship, prayer.
b. Repent of fear of identifying w Christ & His people ask for forgiveness/boldness. (1Tim 1:8)
c. Renounce/remove footholds of the Devil compromise w/sin, lukewarm heart, unforgiveness (Ps 51:13)
d. Repent and return to faith oriented obedience powered by the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:8)
e. Overcome indifference with a welcoming atmosphere developed in the church through key people.

Make the salvation of unbelievers a matter of constant prayer.

a. Each church member develops a list of unsaved friends, family and neighbors they pray for regularly.
b. Intercessors, small groups, and pastors make praying for the unsaved a regular pattern.

Pray evangelistic values into the heart & life of the church.
a. Lost people matter to God! People are spiritually lost without Christ.
b. People need culturally relevant answers (not just the 4SL).
c. People need relationships of love, exposure to the Christian community, and time.
d. Jesus wants disciples, not merely decisions. We should focus on people in FU groups, not PRCs.
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CARE
Study the neighboring community to understand what the good news is in context.
a. Discern the communitys problems, needs, and interests from Gods perspective.
b. Understand the hurts, unmet needs, unanswered questions that need to be dealt with.
c. Each believer seeks to serve his/her familys, work associates, or neighbors needs.

Mobilize ministries of service to meet needs in the name of Christ.

a. Small groups take on projects relevant to their resources and skills.
b. Equip and train selected people to mobilize new ministries and train others.

SHARE

Mobilize people for the harvest (God focused, not need focuses).
a. Give them biblical vision for harvest potential. The harvest is ripe, the opportunities plentiful, workers
are needed, God will send as we pray! (Mt 9:35-38)
b. Give them initial experience in the harvest. They will gain a heart and vision for what is going on.
c. Encourage those gifted in evangelism to focus in using their gift.
d. Mobilize & help new believers to evangelize their friends, relatives, and others in their circle.

Develop outreach-oriented ministries.

a. Help several small groups stay open and seeker sensitive for members to bring their contacts.
b. Include an outreach component to all the ministries you can. The vision for evangelism is quickly lost.
It must be rekindled on a regular basis.
c. Use neutral places as a venue for seeker sensitive activities (e.g., marriage seminar, support groups, etc.)

Make the goal disciples not decisions!! (Jesus gave us the Great Commission, not the Great Decision!)
a. People indicating decisions need to be followed up: rooted in Scripture, encouraged and connected
relationally within 48 hrs. (Parable of the Soils Mt 13:1-9, 18-23 pray against enemy, help understand,
teach Word, relationships to help them persevere)
b. Dont assume your people know how to disciple new converts. Give them training & resources to do so.
c. Create a method that is sustainable and reproducible. (Follow Up booklets, Discovery Grp for new believers)
d. Help new believers to step out in faith, reaching out to their networks of relationships.

Assimilate newcomers into the church.

a. Evaluate church from the eyes of a newcomer. How easily are they drawn in to a sense of belonging?
b. Help newcomers to develop friendships and to become involved in groups (need 5-7 friends to stay)!
c. Dont push them too quickly, but get them involved in low level commitments early.
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BECOMING A CONTAGIOUS CHURCH (from Mittleberg 2001)

Change must begin in the leaders themselves; as we change our church will change.
We have to start with the heart. (Mittleberg 2001, 25)

Stage 1:

Own and Model Evangelistic Values. (see page 3 of these notes)

1. It begins with the leaders. The church will come to value what its leaders value. Out of the overflow of
the heart the mouth speaks! Luke 6:40 like his teacher, I Cor 11:1 Follow my example
2. Seek to raise your own passion for evangelism.
- Admit that evangelistic values have slipped, repent, renew steps of faith in evangelism
- Stay spiritually authentic: Ps 51:9-12, 13; John 15:5 Etc
Key Idea: Leaders must model contagious lives.
Set an example for the believers . . . do the work of an evangelist. (I Tim 4:12, 2 Tim 4:5)

Stage 2:

Instill Evangelistic Values in the Church.

Pray for them, Lead them, Tell the truth about them, Teach them, Illustrate them, Study & Discuss them,
Disciple Them, Inspire them, Personalize them, Fund them, Schedule them, Measure them,
Reinforce them, Celebrate them! Be sure the small groups of the church own them.
Key Idea: Create a contagious church culture! (2 Tim 1:13; 2:2)

Stage 3:

Empower An Evangelistic Point Person (if a larger church; or the pastor if a small church)

His/her Job Description:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Own & model the Values

Instill the values in others
Empower additional evangelistic leaders
Liberate & equip every believer
Develop a diversified evangelism team
Innovate high-impact outreach events and ministries
Coordinate to ensure follow up, assimilation of new folks, disciple building

Key Idea: Empower a contagious leader. (Eph 4:11-12)

Stage 4:

Liberate and Equip Every Believer

Key Evangelism training Components

1. Getting a new view of evangelism (God going ahead of them, Success: Taking the initiative to
share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, and leaving the results to God;
Process of evangelism, Evangelism as a conversation not a presentation)
2. Living an authentic Christina life (Basic messages: Gods Love & Forgiveness, Filled w HS,
Walk in HS, Witness in HS, Help fulfill the Great Commission)
3. Praying for Gods intervention intercession and believing God
4. Finding your own style know how to share the 4SL and help the whole church (see below)
5. Building and deepening relationships with non-believers
6. Starting Spiritual conversations that are culturally relevant and authentic
7. Telling your story many sided story that is adaptable for different people
8. Addressing Questions and Objections being prepared and confident with relevant answers
9. Leading across the line of faith clarifying the decision, expectations, process
10. Ensuring follow-up and discipleship a PRC is only the start!! What should we count??
11. Review & Practice & Keep Sharpening Skills
Key Idea: Train every member one hundred percent to be contagious in their own way. (Luke 6:40)
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Stage 5:

Develop a Diversified Evangelism Team

Key Idea: Gather and encourage contagious champions the ten percent. Some church growth experts
suggest that 10% of a healthy church often have the spiritual gift of evangelism (2 Cor 5: 11, 14)

Stage 6:

Innovate High Impact Outreach Ministries and Events

Ten principles for high impact outreach ministries / events

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Define your evangelistic purpose and overall goals.

Know your target audience, get input from many sources.
Communicate your purpose and your target audience to church people.
Innovate, think creatively, gather ideas from many people.
Design the event to fulfill the purpose and relate to the target audience.
Do only what you can do with excellence.
Integrate your efforts with other events and opportunities.
Promote your events with clarity and power well ahead of time.
Permeate the entire process with prayer.
Measure and evaluate results (disciples not merely decisions), then improve next time.

Key Idea: Create contagious ministries and events. (Col 4:5)

PROGRESSION OF EVANGELISM
Progression of Knowledge (adapted from James Engle)

Progression of Attitude
(adapted from Frank Gray)

+
(negative attitudes toward
gospel, resistant)
Antagonism

+
-

Knowledge

Enthusiasm
(positive attitudes toward
the gospel, open and
curious)

Attitude

http://ied.gospelcom.net/engel.php

Lessons:
a. Evangelism is about both knowledge of Christ and attitude toward Christ. So service, love, humility impacts!
b. Relationships with loving, caring Christians in healthy Christian community have impact on attitude.
c. Perceived cultural differences impact communication depending on attitude toward Christian culture.
d. Understanding communication skills will help how do people learn, how attitudes change.
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STYLES OF EVANGELISM
We dont have to ask people to become something theyre not in order to become effective evangelists. They
need to be humble; submitted to the Holy Spirit; prayerful. They need to be themselves and respond naturally to
the opportunities God sends their way.
(from Mittleberg 2001)
(Six styles, rearranged spell CITRIS)

Serving How can I help?

Dorcas . . . was always doing good and helping the poor . . . robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made.
(Acts 9:36,39)
1. Dorcas was a service evangelist.
2. These people serve with a joyful compassionate heart and say, I offer this service because I want you to
know that you matter to God.
3. There are many unbelievers who know exactly what they need to do to become a Christian. The one thing
they lack is someone like you to soften their heart through acts of service.

Invitational Come and See and Hear

Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ? (John 4:29)
1. The Samaritan woman was an invitational evangelist.
2. Many people come to know Christ as a result of an invitation to attend activities that are specifically
designed to appeal to seekers.

Relational Live it Out

Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on
you. (Mark 5:19)
1. A relational evangelist is one who shares his faith with those hes close to.
2. Some people fail to notice the evangelistic opportunities within their existing relationships. God wants
someone just like them to be an evangelist where they are.

Testimonial He Changed My Life

One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see! (John 9:25)
Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do
nothing (John 9:32-33)
1. Testimonial style evangelists neither confront nor intellectualize. They simply tell the story of the
miraculous work of Jesus Christ in their life.
2. Testimonial evangelists are usually not the people who became Christians as children and followed a
steady path of spiritual growth.
3. Many seekers dont need to hear a sermon; they just need a solid, sane, normal Christian to share with
them a slice of their transformed life.

Continued . . .

Intellectual Think it Through

Paul reasoned with the Jews and God-fearing Greeks, explaining and proving Christs resurrection. Some of
the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few
prominent women (Acts 17:3-4)
A few men became followers of Paul and believed also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others
(Acts 17:34)
1. Paul often used this style.
2. This person helps people grapple with tough questions, because thats what they need to do before they
come to faith in Christ.

Confrontational You Crucified the Wrong Man!

Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Repent and be baptized Save yourselves from this corrupt generation! (Acts 2:36-40)
Three thousand people trusted Christ that day. (Acts 2:41)
1. Peter had this style.
2. Some people will only be reached when they are confronted courageously and straightforwardly the
gospel, with their sin and their need to repent.
3. God has equipped certain believers with the combination of personality, gifts, and desires that make it
natural for them to insert the gospel into conversations and others challenge others to consider Christ.

All believers should know how to communicate the gospel in a clear and simple way
(such as using some version of the Four Spiritual Laws booklet).

And each believer should emphasize using his/her individual style of evangelism
(in cooperation with all the others in the church)!

Outreach Strategy (adapted from McIntosh & Reeves 2006, 151-53)

- Help all people think about where to meet non-believers

and how to develop genuine two-way relationships.

Level Four
- Help all people think understand peoples needs & how
to respond sensitively, naturally, and quickly.

Winning
Confrontation
Intellectual Style
Befriending
Sharing Testimony
Relational Style

Level Three

- Help all people understand the churchs resources

for meeting needs.

Level Two

Inviting
Invitational Style

Level One

Serving
Serving Style

Who I am in Christ
I am accepted
John 1:12
John 15:15
Rom. 5:1
1 Cor. 6:17
1 Cor. 6:19,20
1 Cor. 12:27
Eph. 1:1
Eph. 1:5
Eph. 2:18
Col. 1:14
Col. 2:10

I am Gods child.
I am Christs friend.
I have been justified.
I am united with the Lord, and I am one spirit with Him.
I have been bought with a price. I belong to God.
I am a member of Christs body.
I am a saint.
I have been adopted as Gods child.
I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit.
I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.
I am complete in Christ.

I am secure
Rom. 8:1,2
Rom. 8:28
Rom. 8:31-34
Rom. 8:35-39
2 Cor. 1:21, 22
Col. 3:3
Phil. 1:6
Phil. 3:20
2 Tim. 1:7
Heb. 4:16
1 John 5:18

I am free forever from condemnation.

I am assured that all things work together for good.
I am free from any condemning charges against me.
I cannot be separated from the love of God.
I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God.
I am hidden with Christ in God.
I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me will
be perfected.
I am a citizen of heaven.
I have not been given a spirit of fear but power, love, and a sound
mind.
I can find grace and mercy in time of need.
I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me.

I am significant
Matt. 5:13,14
John 15:1, 5
John 15:16
Acts 1:8
1 Cor. 3:16
2 Cor. 5:17-21
2 Cor. 6:1
Eph. 2:6
Eph. 2:10
Eph. 3:12
Phil. 4:13

I am the salt and light of the earth.

I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life.
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
I am a personal witness of Christs.
I am Gods temple.
I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
I am Gods co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9).
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.
I am Gods workmanship.
I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Source: Anderson, Neil T., Living Free in Christ. Used with permission.

Koinonia - One Anothering

How well are you doing in loving your brothers and sisters in the Lord in the following ways?
Weak

Strong

1.

Pray for one another (Jms. 5:16).

1 2 3 4 5

2.

Be kind to one another (Eph. 4:32).

1 2 3 4 5

3.

Accept one another (Rom. 15:7).

1 2 3 4 5

4.

Build up one another (Rom.14:19).

1 2 3 4 5

5.

Serve one another (Gal. 5:13).

1 2 3 4 5

6.

Be hospitable to one another (1 Pt. 4:9).

1 2 3 4 5

7.

Forgive one another (Col. 3:13).

1 2 3 4 5

8.

Comfort one another (1 Thes. 5:11).

1 2 3 4 5

9.

Seek after that which is good for one another (1 Thes. 5:15).

1 2 3 4 5

10. Bear one anothers burdens (Gal. 6:2).

1 2 3 4 5

11. Be devoted to one another (Rom. 12:10).

1 2 3 4 5

12. Admonish one another (Rom. 15:14).

1 2 3 4 5

13. Submit to one another (Eph. 5:21).

1 2 3 4 5

14. Stimulate one another to love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24).

1 2 3 4 5

15. Confess your sins to one another (Jms. 5:16).

1 2 3 4 5

16. Love one another (Jn. 13:34-35).

1 2 3 4 5

What is one specific thing you will do within the next week to show love in a greater way?

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