Perspective on member participation in outreach activity

Many of our faithful members genuinely support evangelism, mission work, and outreach activity. Yet, well-meaning interest often does not translate into gospel activity. And that can be frustrating. Perhaps it may be helpful to re-calibrate our prayerful hopes and adjust our expectations.

Fear, doubt, and anxiety are real emotions that can keep the most seasoned believer in Christ on the sidelines when invited to participate in gospel activity. This is why participation is a Spirit-filled response that is produced by faith, prompted by love, and inspired by hope. (1 Thess. 1:3) Personal evangelism requires God’s perfect love that drives out all fear.

Using Gideon’s math to gauge expectations

Christ commissions all believers to go out into the world and make disciples through the power of his Word. He also acknowledges that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

The story of Gideon is a valuable example. An Israelite army of 32,000 willing and well-meaning soldiers initially gathered to fight the large Midianite army, but God said that it was too many men. 22,000 soldiers accepted Gideon’s invitation to return back to the safety of their home. The remaining ten thousand were whittled further down to 300. It was all that God needed to carry out a great victory.

Let’s do the math.

.009375% of 32k men equals 300. God chose less than 1% of his faithful, willing men to carry out his business. Why 300 men? Perhaps this was God’s way to teach and remind his people that he alone delivers success whenever he commissions them to carry out his work.

Using Gideon’s math of 1%, God may provide a congregation of 300 communicant members with 2-3 people who will be active evangelists. With churches with less with 100 members, that number equals one member.

And God has a track record of doing great things with only a few!

Using Gideon’s math may help us re-calibrate our expectations in three important ways:
1. We can trust that God chooses people to carry out his all-important work. We invite and use gospel motivation for people to participate in gospel activity and train those who are willing to learn. However, only God can work through his Word to get us to work for him that is pleasing in his sight.

2. We can trust that God always delivers according to his purpose and pleasure whenever the Word is proclaimed. His victories often remain hidden. And this important activity can be done with only a few.

3. We can rejoice and celebrate every small victory — even when two or three show up to participate.

The blessings of outreach momentum

An interesting dynamic occurs with small victories. When only a few members begin to consistently show up over time to engage the community for the sake of the gospel, members begin to take notice. Over time, this helps to create outreach momentum even when there are no visible results.

A good example of this dynamic is a struggling college football team. After suffering years of defeat, discouragement, and empty stadiums, a new head coach arrives with new ideas and a change of attitude. The team begins to win a few games. After a few seasons of big victories, people take notice and start to jump on the bandwagon. They start showing up on Saturday afternoon to watch the games.

Consistent gospel activity are small victories that helps generate outreach momentum. Members hear the stories and see fellow members initiate meaningful connections. They begin to take ownership to plan, encourage, and sustain gospel activity. Small victories can turn into big victories of faith. People slowly start to show up and be a part of the team.

Evangelism requires trust. This means trusting the power of the gospel message and that the Lord blesses gospel activity.

And it’s okay when the workers appear to be only a few.

One last thought

A new mission often starts with a few people. A “core group” is established to gather regularly in his Word, pray, and even being to carry out some gospel activity. This helps build a mission-mindset that focuses primarily on reaching the lost rather than gathering the elect. And God takes it from there.

This type of strategy could be used for established churches. A small core group of mission-minded members can do mighty things. So, be strong. Take heart. Trust It’s a great day to be God’s messengers.