Setting Realistic Evangelism Goals

Both as a church and as a smaller ministry team, we must make sure that any witnessing and evangelistic goals are realistic. The following are some key areas to consider.

Affordable. Finances play a big part in many church strategies today. Consider the costs of advertising, transportation, resources, postage, venue hire, refreshments, to mention just a few expenses incurred in evangelistic activities.

Achievable. Are the set goals realistically achievable? Do we really have the money, time, support, facilities, and personnel to achieve the planned outcomes? It is better to start small and build into a larger project as others join the team and key support is given in other important areas.

Sustainable. If a witnessing and evangelism ministry is successful, it is surely worth repeating. It may also be that your ministry is part of an ongoing strategy, in which case you will need to keep looking ahead in order to organize what is needed to sustain the ministry.

Able to be evaluated. Be sure that you evaluate all aspects of the ministry, personnel, finances, training, results, to name just a few. For ongoing ministries, definite and regular evaluation times must be set and adhered to. Also be sure to examine how this venture contributed toward the church’s overall strategic plans for evangelism.

Discussion Questions:

   Go over your answer to Wednesday’s question as a class. Why is it that churches that are so busy fighting among themselves rarely do outreach? In contrast, how could outreach unify a church that’s otherwise preoccupied with internal strife? How can you help your church move away from preoccupation with itself and get busy with the work of outreach? Why is that so important?  

   As you consider the following quotation, think about your local church. To what extent are the members involved in witnessing and evangelism teams? What part can you play in organizing team-training events? What is your personal attitude toward working in teams? “In laboring where there are already some in the faith, the minister should at first seek not so much to convert unbelievers, as to train the church members for acceptable co-operation.”—Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers, p. 196. How many members of your church have even the slightest idea of how to work for the conversion of souls? If not many, how can that situation be changed?

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