Send Network is committed to the Great Commission, to making God’s last commandment our first priority.
We partner with sending churches to train and equip church planters in nine essential qualities for faithful and effective ministry.
One of our essentials is centered on mission: does the planter regularly do the work of evangelism and disciple-making?
Church planters often dream about starting a church service where they can preach but neglect the important work of first planting the gospel in their city through the work of evangelism.
From the beginning of the plant throughout its growth, church planters must be committed to reaching outsiders.
So, how does a church planter model a missional lifestyle?
- He has a web of relationships with unbelievers and shares the good news with them.
- He practices hospitality for the purpose of mission.
- He has resources ready to share with unbelievers.
- He is constantly thinking about innovative ways to engage unbelievers wisely and effectively.
- He is making disciples currently.
- He lives as a missionary in his city.
- He leads God’s people to pray frequently and fervently for conversions.
The best way I’ve found to share the gospel is to show care and concern for my neighbors.
The trainer at my gym does body building shows, so I would simply ask him how they went, and I’d listen.
This led to hearing about his family and his girlfriend.
Overtime, he trusted me enough to seek me out for counsel and wisdom about his relationship with his girlfriend.
I’ve always found that when you remember details about a person’s life, and then ask them about it and listen, they tend to open up even more than what you bargained for!
Eventually, after a few conversations with my friend and his girlfriend, I was able to challenge them to come to church.
Two weeks ago, his girlfriend came to the altar and gave her life to Christ in front of our entire congregation.
We’re still praying for him, but this woman now has a relationship with Jesus because she was offered care and concern.
The goal is not to start a church service that’s more attractive than the church down the street. The goal is to engage the city with the gospel, living as a missionary. And as we regularly engage unbelievers warmly and wisely, we must also be prepared to disciple them faithfully and effectively though missional, multiplying churches.