The Heart of Effective Outreach

"Apologetics is not a set of techniques for winning people to Christ.  It is not a set of argumentative templates designed to win debates.  It is a willingness to work with God in helping people discover and turn to his glory."

Alister McGrath, Mere Apologetics, 41.

I know Alister McGrath is a famous apologist, so of course he would make such a statement about apologetics.  I think if he were a church planter, a church revitalizer, a pastor, or anyone in ministry, he would say the same exact thing about that ministry.  In the above quote, he makes a universal statement.

In other words, church revitalization is not about techniques or arguments.  It is a willingness to work with God, using whatever means necessary that does not compromise the gospel (1 Cor. 9: 19-23) to help people discover and turn to God's glory.

Same goes for church planting.  Same goes for youth ministry.  Same goes for outreach to my neighbor.

What is the real key to effective outreach?

We must have a heart for people that overrules all.  A heart that seeks God's glory in their life.  A heart that beats and throbs for God's kingdom and glory.

Do you have such a heart?  If not, repent and ask God to grant you love for the lost, for the weak, for the helpless that is greater than you love for your own comfort.  

Effective outreach is not primarily about techniques and tips.  It flows from a heart in tune with God's heart.  When our hearts match God's heart and desire, we will do all we can, including learning various techniques and tips, so as to see people come to know Jesus.

In other words,

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.  To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win the Jews.  To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.  To those outside the law I because as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.  To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak.  I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.  I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

1 Cor. 9: 19-23