| Many churches are dead while many are dying as | | | | A. Poor communication as a Hurdle |
| an organization. This is owing to failure in | | | | An effective leader should keep the lines of |
| administration and failure to fulfill their purpose of | | | | communication open, if not he may be heading |
| existence effectively. Reflection through the | | | | for disaster. Poor communication leading to |
| historical past, patterns utilized in the first century | | | | misunderstanding kills every good intention a |
| ecclesiastical community and biblically | | | | person has and in fact puts people at war against |
| contextualized patterns from the pastoral practice | | | | each other. This is vividly illustrated in the life of |
| of the church through the centuries, can be very | | | | Moses when he killed the Egyptian who attacked |
| essential for formulating relevant aims and | | | | his Jewish Kin. Scripture says, 'for he supposed his |
| objectives to revive our dying churches and to | | | | brothers would have understood" (Acts 7:25). But |
| enhance effective growth through evangelism. | | | | they did not understand his intention. Had they |
| Dynamic and effective leadership is a key to | | | | known Moses' intention they, along with Moses, |
| growth and success in any organization, including | | | | may have killed millions of Egyptians secretly. |
| the Christian church. The scarcity of leadership | | | | Instead, Moses was accused by them so |
| skills in our society does not merely mean | | | | embarrassingly, he had to flee from the Egyptian |
| scarcity of people, but rather a scarcity of people | | | | palace for his life. |
| who were willing to assume significant roles and | | | | Some leaders fail in this area. They assume that |
| get the job done effectively. Churches today | | | | people know what is going on. Therefore, the |
| need competent leadership that will maintain high | | | | people should respond accordingly to their |
| motivation and moral within their communities. | | | | intention. Only God knows what is the mind of |
| In this article, we shall focus upon the necessity, | | | | each person without that person disclosing it. In |
| hurdles and strategies for effective evangelistic | | | | fact, a leader may have a good intention, but |
| mobilization. Let us firstly have a preliminary | | | | poor communication may cause nobody to see |
| consideration of the words we will be focusing on. | | | | the value of it or understand it. Effective |
| Preliminary Consideration | | | | communication to your church members will |
| | | | create likemindness and an agreement to embark |
| It is expedient to establish a full explanation of | | | | upon an adventure. The message of effective |
| what is meant by administering the local church | | | | communication makes sense to the listeners. |
| through mobilization for evangelism. Basically, three | | | | Effective communication accomplishes something. |
| key words or concepts need special attention and | | | | At least it should motivate people into thinking or |
| they are Administration, Mobilization, and | | | | into action or both. It should unite your mind with |
| Evangelism. We have earlier defined administering | | | | the minds of the listeners (likemindedness). |
| in the introduction. We shall define mobilization and | | | | Likemindedness creates unity, agreement in |
| evangelism. | | | | purpose and cooperating to execute a particular |
| Mobilization | | | | goal. |
| | | | B. Spiritual Failure as a Hurdle |
| The term mobilization has its root in the word | | | | From the Garden of Eden, Satan had always tried |
| mobile which basically means movable, to move, | | | | to distort or destroy God's programmes through |
| changeable or capable of being easily moved. The | | | | man. Therefore, Satanic forces may be in |
| word mobile could also mean an individual's ability | | | | operation to destroy any good evangelistic plan |
| or a group's ability to move from one social level | | | | by a church or a group of believers. As a |
| to another. Thus, the verb mobilizes means to put | | | | mobilizer, a leader of an evangelistic expedition, it |
| in a state of readiness for active service. It would | | | | is important that one becomes very sensitive to |
| also mean to organize or undergo preparation for | | | | spiritual impediments. Prayer and fasting help to |
| action.1 Similarly the Oxford Thesaurus gives | | | | remove spiritual obstacles as well as physical ones. |
| some synonymous words for the word mobilize | | | | Also, holy living is a powerful weapon in spiritual |
| which include: activate, rally, call up, prepare, levy, | | | | warfare (Jam. 5:16-20). The use of the biblical |
| muster, organize, enlist, enroll, conscript, assemble, | | | | authority of the word of God as the foundation |
| marshall.2 | | | | of one's plans or evangelistic expedition helps to |
| Administering the local church through mobilization | | | | bring spiritual success instead of failure (Jos.1:8; 2 |
| requires a motivational leader with the ability to | | | | Tim. 3:16). |
| motivate and move people into action in an | | | | In his book, The making of a Christian Leader, |
| organized way or planned target or objective. In | | | | Ted W. Engustron outlines some hurdles of |
| his book, Be a motivational leader. Lair Elms | | | | leadership which he calls the "Price of Leadership". |
| underscores that a highly motivated people are | | | | His thesis is that every worthwhile |
| hard to stop. | | | | accomplishment has a price tag in terms of hard |
| "To a group whose motivation and moral is high, | | | | work, patience, faith and endurance. He lists some |
| problemsappear conquerable, goals seem | | | | aspects in which the cost is high for any person in |
| attainable, and oppositionis nothing more than a | | | | leadership as follows: |
| stepping-stone to success. If under thepower, | | | | 1. Criticism - Every leader has to expect some |
| guidance, and control of the Holy Spirit, the leader | | | | criticism. If one cannot handle it, that means he is |
| candevelop a warm zeal for the task in the | | | | emotionally immature. This defect will eventually |
| hearts of the people...then his job is a joy. But if | | | | show up and impede his and the group's progress |
| the people are cold anduncommitted his job is a | | | | towards the common goal. |
| drag".3 | | | | 2. Utilization of Time - Managing our time really |
| There are key questions for this topic, which are | | | | means managing ourselves. One who plans his |
| essential for consideration: | | | | time more effectively will far outperform others |
| 1. What makes a leader a mobilizer? | | | | who don't. Also, Christian leaders must take time |
| 2. What do some leaders have that can inspire | | | | for creative thinking, meditation and determine the |
| people to enthusiasm for the work God has given | | | | best methodology to meet the goal, as well as |
| them? | | | | problem - solving. |
| 3. Is it the gift or an ability that can be learned? | | | | 3. Making Unpleasant Decisions - Many a time it |
| We could note that it is the knowledge and | | | | becomes the duty of an effective leader to |
| practical application of sound leadership principles | | | | remove or rebuke someone who is not |
| that are biblical and relevantly contextual which | | | | performing up to the stated standard. A person |
| would make a leader the mobilizer he ought to be. | | | | who consistently fails to perform with distinction is |
| Evangelism | | | | a hindrance to a church's or organization's |
| | | | effectiveness. When an evangelism team is |
| Several New Testament words are used to | | | | confronted with such a hurdle something needs to |
| clarify the meaning of evangelism including such | | | | be one. It is not easy especially when it needs to |
| words as preach, herald, teach, witness and | | | | meet the approval of the church. |
| disciple. One clarifying word is that which is often | | | | 4. Rejection - so many reasons may be given for |
| translated "PREACH". It is the Greek word | | | | the rejection of a leader or a good evangelism |
| evangelizo which means "to announce good | | | | plan for the church. A Christian leader must also |
| tidings" or "to preach the gospel". In Acts 21:8, | | | | be prepared to face the hurdle of rejection. He |
| Phillip was designated as the evangelist, which | | | | must lean upon Jesus and develop good |
| means he went about telling the gospel. The New | | | | ego-strength to cope with rejection.16 |
| Testament evangelist is one who spreads the | | | | C. Personal/Interpersonal Problems as Hurdles |
| good tidings of redemption and attempts to | | | | While pride, jealousy, hatred, slander and other |
| persuade people to receive Christ (acts 13:32 | | | | sins may be manifested as well on the |
| Heb.4:2).4 Hence the Living Webster English | | | | interpersonal level, other personal problems such |
| Dictionary defines evangelize as "to instruct in the | | | | as lack of interest, excuses, incompetence and |
| gospel, to preach the gospel and convert."5 | | | | other things may serve as impediments. |
| The other Greek work is Kerusso which means | | | | In my interview with Pastor Carew of the New |
| "TO HERALD" and is also translated to "preach or | | | | Evangelical Assembly of God church he told me |
| proclaim. The messenger of an ancient king went | | | | that some unwilling members have given lots of |
| from village to village heralding the decree of the | | | | excuses, some he managed to counsel and they |
| king. The emphasis is on a simple setting forth of | | | | joined the evangelistic work of the church. Most |
| a truth, not on the response of the hearer, but | | | | of these turn out to be very faithful and fruitful. |
| on the proclamation of the gospel... (Matt. | | | | On the other hand, some have genuine excuses |
| 3:1:4:12:24:14: a Tim. 3:16).6 | | | | and do not join at all. |
| The third word is the Greek word Didasko which | | | | Pastor Carew also underscores that failure in a |
| refers to holding discourse with others in order to | | | | particular adventure has sometimes served as an |
| instruct and it means "TO PREACH". Teaching | | | | obstacle in that it brought discouragement to the |
| means more than announcing the truth: it involves | | | | team and the young immature ones became |
| clarifying and illustrating the plan of salvation. When | | | | downcast. Hence good planning is very important, |
| a person responds to the plan of salvation by | | | | taking into consideration feasibility study, finance, |
| accepting Christ, teaching becomes evangelism. In | | | | logistics, manpower and a month of special |
| describing the evangelism of Jesus, it refers to | | | | prayers before launching out. |
| holding discourses with others in order to instruct. | | | | Man as a social being sometimes encounters |
| Jesus secured eternal results through teaching | | | | friction in his personal interaction with his |
| ...Matt. 9:35.7 | | | | fellowmen. Pastor Carew also told me that |
| The fourth word is the Greek word Mathateuo | | | | sometimes interpersonal friction comes out: |
| which means "TO DISCIPLE". The term is | | | | However, as a Pastor, he exercises his pastoral |
| concerned with results and carries with it the idea | | | | function to counsel those involved and encourage |
| of converting. The converted one is made a | | | | them to maintain unity, peace, and a forgiven |
| learner or student and therefore a disciple or | | | | spirit (2 Cor. 2:9-11). Like Lair Elms, Pastor Carew |
| follower. Jesus commissioned His disciples to make | | | | believes that the value of a united team cannot |
| disciples of others - Matt. 28:19. | | | | be overstated. He has the concept that all of us |
| The last word is the Greek word Martureo which | | | | will do more and do it better than a few isolated |
| means "To bear witness: A witness gives | | | | individuals (1 Cor. 12:20-27).17 |
| evidence(s) or substantiation of the truth. A | | | | In administering the local church through |
| witness tells what he has seen, heard, or | | | | mobilization for evangelism it is expedient to |
| experienced. A Christian witness tells others what | | | | communicate effectively, because poor |
| Christ has done for him - that is, what he has | | | | communication can lead to disaster. The |
| seen, heard and experienced (Acts 1:8; 2 Jn. 1:1-4). | | | | administrator or Mobilizer must be sensitive to |
| The task of evangelism in view of the | | | | spiritual discrepancies such as critics, use of time, |
| above-mentioned concepts is rightly stated by C.E. | | | | unpleasant decision-making, rejection and other |
| Autrey in the following way: "evangelism is to | | | | negative effects due to satanic forces. Prayer, |
| bear witness to the gospel with soul aflame and | | | | fasting, holy living and the use of biblical authority |
| to teach and preach with the express purpose of | | | | in spiritual warfare is necessary. Moreover, |
| making disciples of those who hear." Also John R. | | | | interpersonal problems must be resolved |
| Mott defines evangelism in the context of result: | | | | interpersonally and with pastoral care. |
| "the declaration of the gospel of Christ, either | | | | Strategies Toward Effective Mobilization |
| privately or publicly by a messenger of God so | | | | In terms of strategy much has already been said |
| that man might repent of their sins, turn to God | | | | in each Chapter and subheadings. Almost all of the |
| and live abundantly."8 | | | | points covered have some kind of strategy or |
| To have a full comprehension of the dynamics in | | | | principle toward effective mobilization. Thus this |
| administering the local church through mobilization | | | | section will comprise a general overview of |
| of evangelism, the above stated considerations | | | | systematic strategies. |
| must be taken into account. Consideration of the | | | | A. Some Basic Principles to Consider |
| meaning, scope and concept of the key words | | | | Before a person takes on a leadership |
| such as administering, mobilization and evangelism | | | | responsibility, he should weigh the matter carefully. |
| is inevitable. | | | | The leader will be held in more severe and stricter |
| The Necessity for Mobilization | | | | judgment than his followers, (James 3:1). |
| | | | However, when God has called you to a task He |
| One of the great dangers facing the church in | | | | will work in and through you to do His good |
| evangelism is the lack of concern and active | | | | pleasure (Phil. 2:13). Seek to be a goal-oriented |
| involvement in touching the lives of others who | | | | leader who is aspiring and working efficiently. |
| are without Christ. A revitalized zeal must be | | | | Secondly, an effective mobilizer for evangelism |
| evidenced in churches' programmes so as to | | | | must be one who makes an impact on people's |
| transform Christians into active soul winners.9 | | | | lives. One who makes an impact for God is |
| In real evangelism, every possible method and | | | | wholehearted (2 Chron. 31:21; Col. 3:23; Ecc. 9:10), |
| every effort must be applied inside and outside | | | | and single-minded in his approach to his job. |
| the church door to bring people to Faith in Christ | | | | Thirdly, it is very important to understand the |
| and membership in His church. Each new | | | | dynamics in the excelling of some leaders. Leaders |
| generation of Christians must communicate the | | | | who excel are those who put out programmes |
| gospel to its peers. Methods and techniques used | | | | that are fresh and alive, with the people involved |
| to do this must take into account biblical | | | | very enthusiastic, motivated and productive. |
| mandates and contemporary society with its | | | | These are leaders who desire to do things with |
| values. Francis Schaeffer, in his book, Escape | | | | excellence in Christlikeness. They are initiators and |
| From Reason, underscores that "those who would | | | | they are creative in trying new and different |
| share Christ must understand those to whom | | | | things to get more done for the Lord. |
| they minister and relate to them appropriately".10 | | | | A mobilizer or Christian leader should have as one |
| It is essential that warm emotional feelings should | | | | of his prime goals, the meeting of the needs of |
| accompany evangelism. No matter what culture | | | | the group or church entrusted to him. It should |
| or method is used the warm evidence of Love | | | | revolve around the deepening of the spiritual lives |
| MUST radiate from the soul winner. | | | | of the people he leads so that they grow in grace |
| Many reasons could be given to justify why | | | | and in the knowledge of Christ, developing in them |
| mobilization is necessary in any form of | | | | effectiveness for Him and deepening their |
| administration, especially, administering the local | | | | devotion.18This aspect of meeting needs is |
| church. Four key reasons are given for our | | | | interfused with resolving difficulties and surviving |
| consideration. | | | | dangers. |
| A. Mobilization is Necessary to Control the | | | | B. Some Basic Methodological Steps. |
| Operation | | | | From this writer's own experience and information |
| | | | obtained during research for this book the |
| Necessary control is the only way the results | | | | following steps have been offered as practical |
| achieved in evangelism will conform to plans | | | | strategies for evangelistic mobilization. |
| previously made. This implies that planning is | | | | Step One: Vision |
| involved as well as organizing and directing in the | | | | As Isaiah worshipped in the Temple a vision came |
| whole process. Apart from these major tasks the | | | | to him. He saw his own unworthiness as well as |
| leader must perform activities designed to ensure | | | | that of his community, but cleansing and |
| that the results achieved conform to plans made | | | | enlightenment came to him and he was |
| and approved. When authority is delegated or | | | | commissioned and sent with a special task Isa. |
| directed the leader is still responsible for the work | | | | 6:1-13). It is very important for a leader or |
| and controls are built into the assignment such as | | | | mobilizer to spend time with the Lord and get |
| deadline, periodic progress reports or a budget. | | | | vision from the Lord. A clear vision from the Lord |
| Several factors influence the effectiveness of | | | | can give assurance of the Lord's presence and |
| controls: (1) using mistakes as a basis for | | | | vindication of whatever ministry or task Christians |
| improving future performance, instead of taking | | | | undertake. A vision would be a foresight of what |
| pride in triumph and gloss over errors; (2) being | | | | lies ahead. At this point of vision it is important to |
| systematic in personal activities, scheduling and | | | | do some critical thinking as to the nature, scope |
| controlling the work of other people and the | | | | and anticipated result of whatever evangelistic |
| resources available; (3) having a sense of timing in | | | | expedition is to be embarked upon. Herein is a |
| making things jell in your church or department by | | | | leader who is goal-oriented. He takes the initiative |
| knowing the people, mastering the fundamentals | | | | to establish a sense of direction in order to ensure |
| while using logic over emotion and (4) knowing | | | | progress and achievement.19 |
| how to use information to improve operations.11 | | | | Step Two: Personal Contact |
| B. Mobilization is Necessary to Equip Workers | | | | Nehemiah went to Jerusalem, surveyed the task |
| | | | he went to perform, and personally met with the |
| This whole area of mobilization or motivation | | | | people to share his plan and vision with them. |
| centres upon involvement with people and it | | | | (Neh. 1:11-18). A Christian leader or mobilizer ought |
| includes the ability to gain the respect of people | | | | to make personal contact with people to share his |
| as to having influence over them. Competence | | | | dreams, aspirations and visions. Some would |
| and excellence in leadership require meaningful | | | | include only personal friends, but for an |
| relationship with people. A leader essentially must | | | | evangelistic expedition for the Lord it is important |
| manage, direct or lead people. One important | | | | to open-up to whoever the Lord may send |
| aspect of leadership role is the manner in which | | | | (especially gifted and competent people). At this |
| you talk to, help and relate to people. | | | | point it is basically to share and discuss with |
| A leader must be able to relate to others for | | | | experienced Christians who would counsel and |
| many reasons: 1) It helps to induce change in the | | | | support your vision or aspiration. They may even |
| leader and the other person; 2) It helps a person | | | | support prayerfully if they are unable to be a part |
| develop his own personality by opening up; 3) It | | | | physically. |
| helps in understanding where the other people | | | | Such a kind of personal contact helped this writer |
| are.12 Gene a Getz puts it this way:" For | | | | when he was the chairman of the Outreach |
| communication to be qualitative, it must get | | | | committee of the Sinkor Evangelical Church in |
| beyond the verbalization level into the visualization | | | | Monrovia, Liberia. It was like an underground work |
| and then to the level of involvement." Also he | | | | to mobilize church members into getting involved |
| emphasized that there should be a balance | | | | in the church outreach activities. I visited some at |
| between a ministry to groups and a ministry to | | | | their homes and some I talked with after church |
| individuals as demonstrated in the life of Paul to | | | | service on Sundays. Some gave me advice; some |
| Silas and Timothy. Effective Christian motivation | | | | gave me support while some became key figures |
| must include an in-depth ministry to a select group | | | | in the outreach activities of the church with zeal |
| as well as a ministry to the larger group of | | | | to work. |
| Christians.13 | | | | Also, Pastor Carew of the New Evangel A.O.G. |
| God gives the leader the responsibility to develop | | | | Church told me that he reaches out to personally |
| the people committed to his charge. Every person | | | | contact those with gifts and potentials for |
| needs further development and training (2 Tim. | | | | ministry. Then, he encourages and trains them to |
| 2:2; He.12J. Each one has been given a gift by God | | | | be more effective. |
| that the spirit of God can use to enrich and | | | | Step Three: Planning |
| deepen the lives of others for their work of | | | | After obtaining insight from other people, proper |
| service in building up the body of Christ. Apart | | | | planning is to be done. At this point the Christian |
| from Personal development, people could be | | | | leader or mobilizer must apply his ability to define |
| mobilized through special training in skills for | | | | policies and procedures, and to organize the |
| evangelism. Such training could be formal as in a | | | | activities of his people toward the common goal. |
| classroom setting or informal as the trainee learns | | | | Hence technical skills, human skills and conceptual |
| by doing. | | | | skills must be appropriated. The technical skill |
| In my interview with the pastor of one of the | | | | enhances the ability to use knowledge, methods, |
| fastest growing churches in Freetown, Pastor | | | | techniques and equipment necessary for the task. |
| Carew of the New Evangelical Assembly of God | | | | Human skill enhances the ability and judgment in |
| church on Wellington Street, he said to me, "I | | | | working with and through people. Conceptual skill |
| train my evangelists by going out with them and, | | | | enhances the ability to understand the |
| let them see and do the job themselves. I teach | | | | complexities of the overall organization and where |
| them some principles, I organize them, I supervise | | | | one's own operation fits in.20 |
| them and let them learn on the job. They | | | | Step Four: Publicity/Motivation |
| become very excited and they grow also from | | | | The idea of publicity is likened to sales agent who |
| their mistakes." | | | | wants to sell his product. Publicity would be to |
| C. Mobilization is Necessary to Achieve Objectives | | | | declare publicly your desire or vision in an appeal |
| The managerial functions of planning, organizing, | | | | so as to have other people support your |
| motivating and controlling are all engaged in getting | | | | campaign. This is the time to really motivate |
| things done with and through people. An effective | | | | people. Publicity of a church should utilize the |
| leader gets things done because he utilizes a | | | | announcement time, bulletin board, handbills and |
| workable method and has the ability to motivate | | | | other communicational media to attract people. |
| others highly. He also becomes successful when | | | | Step Five: Organizing People and Activities |
| he is task-oriented. This means he must learn the | | | | In order to avoid confusion, disorder or anything |
| resources available to his church organization and | | | | that may bring failure, proper organization of |
| study the means to arrive at goals and approved | | | | people and various activities is inevitable. After |
| plans. He must have the ability to define policies | | | | publicity many people may come to be part of |
| and procedures in order to organize the activities | | | | your campaign. This is the time for the formation |
| of his people toward the common goal. This is the | | | | of different committees or teams such as singing |
| art or science of getting things done through | | | | group, prayer group, counseling team, evangelists, |
| people. | | | | tract team, etc. The purpose of organization is |
| Goal setting is the starting point for results and it | | | | also to basically achieve goals. Also, time frame |
| must be special. State the objective with tangible | | | | logistics and the utilization of resources to achieve |
| reasons for achieving it and an outline plan to | | | | objective are some of the major tasks. These |
| achieving it.14 | | | | are all important in effective mobilization. |
| D. Mobilization is Necessary to Maximize Meaningful | | | | Step Six: Control of Operation |
| Participation | | | | From step one to the end of each evangelistic |
| Several reasons and factors may serve as | | | | campaign, the mobilizer or Christian leader must |
| impediments to maximum participation in the | | | | be in control of the entire process. This means he |
| outreach program of the church, but effective | | | | appoints and delegates responsibilities to faithful |
| motivation and mobilization can overcome | | | | members as well as takes responsibility of the |
| unwillingness and carefree attitudes. The mobilizer | | | | entire success or failure of the campaign. It is |
| needs to study the situation and come up with | | | | very important to have this in mind especially |
| tangible reasons why it is necessary that the | | | | when you are dealing with a bright church or a big |
| people should do what he wants them to do. In | | | | crusade or campaign. Control of operation is |
| the case of mobilizing the church for evangelism, | | | | important whether it is door-to-door evangelism, |
| there are manifold convincing reasons that church | | | | open-air evangelism, tract evangelism, church |
| members cannot escape. The reasons for | | | | evangelism or crusade evangelism. |
| evangelism listed below should cause the believer | | | | Conclusion |
| to examine and evaluate his own evangelistic | | | | Mobilization for Evangelism is an asset in promoting |
| interest or activities and be motivated to help in | | | | the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. The love |
| the evangelistic and ministry of his church: (1) | | | | of Christ in believers is passed on to a sin sick |
| Jesus commanded His disciples to go and make | | | | world through effective evangelism as a way of |
| disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19; Acts 1:8). Hence | | | | life. It is a thrilling experience to see non-believers |
| evangelism is a command that each believer must | | | | coming to the faith in Christ Jesus and becoming |
| obey. (2) Love for Christ compels evangelism. | | | | members of a local church. We have looked at |
| Jesus said to his disciples, "If ye love me keep | | | | the necessity, hurdles and strategies pertaining to |
| my commandments" (Jn. 14:15) also Paul indicated | | | | Mobilization for evangelism. The Great Commission |
| that the indwelling presence of Jesus Christ in the | | | | of Christ is still the unfinished commission. |
| believer should motivate him to evangelize (2 Cor. | | | | End Note |
| 5:14); (3) The lost condition of men should compel | | | | 1Colin Brown ed. The New International Dictionary |
| Christians to evangelize. All men outside of Christ | | | | of New Testament Theology |
| are lost (Rom. 3:3; 6:23; 3:6), and Christ is calling | | | | (Exeter, Devon: The Pater Nostra Press, 1980), p. |
| them to Himself (Matt.11:28). Love for our | | | | 638 |
| relatives and fellowmen should compel us to | | | | 2Ted W Engstorm, The Making of a Christian |
| evangelize them as Andrew did in John 1:41; (4) | | | | Leader (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, |
| God has entrusted believers with the stewardship | | | | 1976), p. 24 |
| of the gospel according to God's directive (1 | | | | 3Webster, p. 613 |
| cor.4:11); (5) The lack of workers is a very | | | | 4Urdang, p. 75 |
| serious issue to challenge believers to evangelize. | | | | 5Leroy Eims, Be a Motivational Leader (Wineaton, |
| Very few are witnessing. More must evangelize. | | | | Illinois: Victor Books, 1987), p.8 |
| This attitude of neglect in fact caused Jesus to | | | | 6Elmer L Towns, Evagelize Thru Christian |
| address the issue in Matthew 9:37. The primary | | | | Education (Wheaton, Illinois: E T T A., 1981), p.7 |
| emphasis of a local church should be evangelism. | | | | 7Webster, p. 339 |
| Social action, education, fellowship or community | | | | 8Towns, p. 8 |
| services are secondary.15 | | | | 9Ibid., p. 7 |
| Mobilization as an indispensable ingredient in | | | | 10Ibid., p. 8 |
| leadership is necessary to control operations, to | | | | 11Ibid., p. 5 |
| equip workers with willingness and competence, to | | | | 12Francis Schaeffer, Escape from Reason |
| achieve approved objectives or goals, and to | | | | (Downers, Grove, Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1968), |
| maximize meaningful participation. | | | | pp. 93-94 |
| The Hurdles toward Evangelistic Mobilization | | | | 13Engstrom, p. 179 |
| It has been established that highly motivated | | | | 14Ibid., p. 194 |
| people are hard to stop. While this statement is | | | | 15Gene A Getz. Sharpening the Focus of the |
| highly true on the one hand, it is also true on the | | | | Church (Chicago: Moody Press, 1974), pp. 182-185 |
| other hand that there are possible impediments | | | | 16Engstrom, pp. 137-138 |
| that may slow or completely kill every mobilization | | | | 17Towns, pp. 10-11 |
| effort. Some of these impediments may be | | | | 16Engstrom, pp. 95-101 |
| spiritual problems, physical problems or natural | | | | 19Eims, Be a Motivational Leader, p. 115 |
| problems. Some may be from the mobilizer or | | | | 20Leroy Eims, Be the Leader you were meant to |
| from the people being mobilized or just from the | | | | be (Wheaton, Illinois: Victor Books, 1987, p. 116 |
| environment. It is important to identify each | | | | 21Ibid., |
| hurdle and find a strategy to overcome it. | | | | 22Harold Commins, Starting New Churches |
| Difficulties and hurdles for leaders usually come in | | | | (Nairobi: Baptise Publishing House, 1980) pp. 10-11 |
| two forms: (1) problems with the group, and (2) | | | | 23Ibid., pp. 11-24 |
| problems in the life of the leader (mobilizer). We | | | | 24Jack Redford, Planting New Churches (Nashville: |
| will consider three elements, which can stand in | | | | Broadman Pree, 1978), p. |
| the way as hurdles. | | | | |