September 30, 2002

Evangelism Summit helps churches pool good ideas
___By John Hall
___Texas Baptist Communications
___CEDAR HILL--"Our churches are beautifully organized for 1954," according to Rick Davis of the Baptist General Convention of Texas staff. But "that day is gone."
___Davis, director of the BGCT Center for Strategic Evangelism, urged about 200 Texas Baptists at an evangelism summit to transform their traditional church structures into mission outposts to reach the contemporary culture.
___Too many churches are overly concerned with the well-being of their membership rather than winning new people to Christ, Davis said. These churches usually focus on Wednesday evening and Sunday for worship, rather than emphasizing the constant Christian lifestyle.
___The missional church "anticipates a day and a people yet to come," he said. It is committed to outreach and is purposeful throughout the week.
___To transform a church into a mission outpost, Davis said, the minister first must pray to find God's will for the church.
___"Don't buy God in a box for $129 about what God did for someone in their place," he said. "Go find out what he has for you in your place. Until you get down and become a prayer person, you won't get much worth much from God."
___The minister should enlist lay leaders as he cultivates a vision for the church, Davis added. He emphasized following Jesus' model for ministry: "Pray all night. See what God shows you. Go do ministry."
___Participants also shared successful evangelism tools with each other in small groups. Among the most popular tools talked about were cell groups, sports evangelism and block parties.

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