Hello all,
There is something that is weighing heavily upon my heart and I am uncertain about what I should do and the timing of the ideas that I do have.
I finally joined an IFB church in my city last April and have been attending every service steadily just recently. I have been reading literature and watching/listening to online sermons about the importance of soul-winning and I have been deeply convicted that it is something that I absolutely must do, but I have never been soul-winning or even passed out Gospel tracts.
On my church's website, it says that they do "visitation" every Monday evening and that "soul-winning" is scheduled for Saturday mornings. The fact that they had soul-winning on their schedule is one of the big reasons that I wanted to explore this church.
I learned that, on Monday evenings, between 4 and five men choose a few streets and simply deliver a bifold flier that contains an invitation to the church first, information about the pastor second and then a short plan of salvation at the end. Then they do a face-to-face visit with anyone who inquires by calling the church.
I have asked three deacons and the pastor if they ever do door-to-door, face-to-face soul-winning and they all have told me that that is something that they never do. One of the deacons even told me that he thinks that kind of soul-winning is a bad idea, that it doesn't work and that he hates doing it anyway. This absolutely shocked me seeing that it is an IFB church.
I got into a conversation with another man who has been a member there for about four years. He said that, many years ago, he used to be on fire for soul-winning and would do it anywhere he possibly could and at every opportunity. He faded away from the church for a while, but eventually returned, but has not been soul-winning since. He said that he wished that our church did real soul-winning and that he doesn't understand why they don't. He seems like the kind of man who might get excited about it with me and whom I might be able to talk into approaching church leadership about this issue.
As I said earlier, I am very new to the church and am not even, technically, a member yet (I will be joining within the next week or so). I don't want to come across as the excited new troublemaking face, stirring things up. I also hesitate because I have never been soul-winning and I have no Idea what I am talking about. I also don't wish to come across as disrespectful to the pastor, church leaders or the church body. (I am total that membership consists of about 70 people and that, at 43 years old, I am one of the youngest there; with the exception of a handful of children.)
Forgive me if this is a bit long winded, but I need advice from more seasoned brethren than I about how to deal with this. I believe that God commands every one of us to go soul-winning. I don't want to just find a different church who does go soul-winning because that seems to just leave the issue to someone else.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
(Romans 10:13-18) "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. {14} How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? {15} And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! {16} But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? {17} So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. {18} But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world."
Sincerely and respectfully,
Brother Stafford
I am personally happy to see that you are really interested in door-to-door visiation and soul-winning efforts.
The scriptures plainly teach, "And the lord said unto the servant, God out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be full." Luke 14:23
"And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." Acts 5:42
Our problem in this day and age is that we do not visit and soul-win enough.
It is commendable that the church that you are considering joining is an IFB church that does go out on active visitation efforts (at least with flyers). But, it seems that the actual soul-winning efforts has been curtailed through some people either abusing it, not liking the idea of soul-winning, or just plain scared.
I do not know the reason, but, I do know that if people look at reasons for not soul-winning there is a problem. "He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap." Ecclesiastes 11:4 If a Christian looks at the problems of soul-winning, the hindrances of soul-winning and observes the problems thereof, he will find an excuse for not soul-winning.
In your case, I am not sure what to advise. Take it slowly no matter what you do. If there was another IFB, King James believing, church that is actively out soul winning than I probably would go there for awhile and pray about the situation. It is hard to imagine a good IFB not actively out soul winning.
Keep us informed. We do hope that best for you and that God will lead you.
Hello all,
I have been here before, but, to be honest, I have forgotten what my old screen name was. I was not especially pleasant at times, but God has taught me quite a but about pride and humility since then. I am just a miserable sinner in desperate need of the salvation offered by our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Brother Stafford
... reacted to Alan in When your church forsakes soul-winning
... got a reaction from Rosie in Hello again