Tag Archive | Christ

Skin in the Game: Evangelists

This week we’ve been looking at how the concept of skin in the game applies to the church.

Today, I want to look at how evangelists can have skin in the game.

For those of you who only think of loud preachers on television asking for money when you hear the word “evangelist,” let’s start with a definition. Evangelists are people who share the good news of Jesus with others with ease. Every Christian is called to be a witness to the greatness of Jesus. But not every Christian is called to be an evangelist. Evangelists are specially gifted to help people understand the Gospel and help other believers in the body of Christ share the Gospel. Most evangelists never get on camera or in front of a large crowd. Most quietly do their work of sharing the good news about Jesus in their homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces while helping the churches they are in get better at it as well.

While Evangelists love sharing the Gospel with lost people, they can have a tough time having skin in the game depending on their maturity level. Often evangelists are so at home with lost people that they are uncomfortable within the church. Church politics and religious veneers can frustrate evangelists who rightly understand that our emphasis should be on the good news of Jesus and getting it to the lost. Evangelists also sometimes struggle with discipling those that they lead to Jesus. Short conversations about the Gospel are easy for them. The long slog of helping a newly converted individual learn to follow Jesus over years of time is a lot harder for many evangelists.

So how do evangelists develop skin in the game?

The first thing evangelists should do is recognize that they need to be a meaningful part of the church. Even evangelists with traveling ministries should have long term relationships that function as church for them. The body is designed to need input from others with different gifts from ourselves. Evangelists are no exception.

But there’s another reason evangelists need to be involved with the church. The church needs them. As frustrating as the church can be at times, we need evangelists to pull us back to our call to be witnesses to the greatness of Jesus. This can be a frustrating process, but a mature evangelist knows they have much that benefits the church and will stay engaged in a church, not just for themselves, but for the good of the church. Remember, Paul tells us God gave us “evanglists…to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Lastly, evangelists can have skin in the game by making disciples. One of the critical problems with evangelism is the lack of discipleship that often happens after a person has come to faith. Evangelists, as the people who have won someone to Christ, are natural candidates for discipling the new believers they have led to Christ. Some of these converts will naturally imitate their evangelistic mentors and become evangelists themselves. Others won’t and will struggle, and this is where a good partnership with pastors and teachers will help an evangelist struggling with discipleship. Regardless, it does us no good to lead someone in a prayer to receive Christ but not teach them how to follow Him. Remember, our commission is to make disciples, not converts.

Evangelists need the church. The church needs evangelists. But the greatest truth is that lost humanity needs evangelists with skin in the game.

Photo Credit: Baptismal Pool Prayer by Kaleb Tapp

Don’t Forget:

My new book, “Stick Your Neck Out” was just released. If you’re looking for a short introduction to house churches for yourself or others, this 71 page book will help you or someone you know move from interested to invested in planting churches in the harvest. Get your Kindle or paperback version here.

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Early Feedback for Stick Your Neck Out

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Stick Your Neck Out” has been live on Amazon for about a week. I’m so thankful to those of you who purchased a copy and have sent me encouraging notes and pictures over the last few days. It’s incredible to see this book out in the wild where it was meant to be.

One of the exciting things about the book being out in the wild is the feedback I’ve been getting from house church practitioners in the United States and Canada. Below are a couple of quick snippets I’ve seen so far:

“In a world where so many churches have shut their doors, people are craving for a church where they can worship and learn about God with a fellowship of other believers. This book can be the answer for that hunger for Christians to meet together. Travis reminds us that we are not just church members, but we are the church. We are called to gather together for worship, teaching, and reaching out to the lost. We might not think we can lead such a group, but with the Holy Spirit’s help all things are possible. This book is an encouragement and guide to do what God desires for the church in today’s world.” –DJ Washburn

“The problem with most books on simple, organic or house churches is that they are written by people who generally are pushing concepts without having made them work in their own lives, home towns or anywhere else.

Often, they also are hoping to use their books to promote themselves as “apostolic workers” or some such itinerant ‘somebodies’ who make a living off of invites to come help you do what, in fact, they haven’t successfully done themselves.

Those who fall under their influence inevitably end up failing, with great harm caused to the cause of Christ from the resulting discouragement and disillusionment.

In contrast, Travis is writing from the refreshing perspective of actually living out what he’s saying. Plus, it’s refreshing that he has a real job and not trying to promote himself for gain or fame.

As someone who also has helped start and sustain a number of similar churches in my own home county, I can attest to the ring of authenticity in this delightful, straightforward book for others willing to do the same.” –Jim Wright

“I just finished Travis Kolder’s book ‘Stick Your Neck Out: An invitation and Guide to House Church Planting.’ I wasn’t sure, at first, about reading another book on starting house churches. As I started reading this book it seemed it might be the same old stuff repeated. However, as I read further into the book I found myself transported into the stories of the New Testament.

Travis Kolder has done an amazing job of explaining the concept and practice of house churches. There are many good books on simple (organic, relational, house) churches but Travis has written his book to be very simple to understand. He has based it all on scripture as well as making the concept of house churches relevant to today. He was able to bring Jesus’ story to life and invite people to be involved.

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to be involved in or start house churches.

‘The church I am describing is totally consumed with Jesus. They eat, sleep, and dream about him. He is more important than the building you meet in or what you say when you get together. The church that you are helping to start is held together by him alone. He brings the church together, you talk about him when you come together, and he is the life force empowering you when you meet and when you go out from your times together.’ Travis Kolder

‘I’m inviting you to take part in a house church planting movement that reaches the lost wherever you are. For this house church movement to truly spread, we need people with the character to sustain it. Skill and enthusiasm can start churches, but without character, these churches will quickly sputter and die.’ Travis Kolder” –Rob Ross

If you’ve had a chance to read “Stick Your Neck Out” and you have the time, would you give it a quick review on Amazon or Goodreads? It certainly helps to spread the word.

Solemn Assembly Pre-Meeting

Background: In light of everything going on in the country, I previously made a case that we need to gather people together and pray and fast. Since that post, things have continued along the same course. It’s time to become more intentional about moving forward. Please join us for a three day, virtual solemn assembly next week.

Here are the details:

When: We are holding a solemn assembly, virtually and in small groups, starting on Tuesday, April 7th at 7:00 PM Central Standard Time. The goal will be prayer meetings on Wednesday (4/8) and Thursday (4/9) as well.

How: We will gather virtually to start each meeting with the help of Zoom. People gathering are encouraged to fast for the three days of solemn assembly.

Where: To be determined. We want to gather in various places across our city in groups smaller than ten, government permitting, for those that are able and want to meet together. (More on where below.)

Who: If you are a believer in Jesus, we encourage you to join us.

Leaders: While the names of people who are leading isn’t important, we are looking for people who will join us in opening their homes for small gatherings. If you are interested in opening up your home for a group of ten or less to pray, please join us on a call to talk about the details of the upcoming solemn assembly. This call will be accessible using the following Zoom details:

Time: Mar 31, 2020 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/571011773

Meeting ID: 571 011 773

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Meeting ID: 571 011 773

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