A Flow Chart for Evangelism

A Flow Chart for Evangelism
“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?” -Romans 10:13-14

 We’ve all seen flow charts that begin with a question and move on to various answers and actions. Sometimes those flow charts are simple and helpful and sometimes they’re downright confusing. I want to give you a flow chart today that’s so simple it doesn’t even require drawing. In fact, it’s so simple that you can memorize it and start using it today.

This flow chart begins with a question I’ve found very useful for evangelism – especially in the South. Here it is: “Where do you go to church?” Most of the South is still nominally Christian, so this question is not strange or out of the ordinary. I find that people typically answer in one of three ways:

1) Confidently And Positively: “I go to church at First Presbyterian.” When you hear this answer, given quickly and with a positive tone, you can assume that the person you asked is telling the truth. They are
probably a regular church attender. You have obeyed the Great Commission by checking to see whether or not they believe in Jesus – and as far as you can tell, they do! Your work with this person is done.

2) Sheepishly But Positively: “I go to First Presbyterian . . . sometimes. When I go.” When you hear this answer, affirming church attendance but being sheepish about frequency and commitment, you should view it as an invitation to follow up. Ask good questions like, “What is the pastor preaching on right now?” Or, “How has First Presbyterian blessed you and your family?” Depending on the answers you get, you may find that the person you’re speaking to hardly ever goes to church or is not truly plugged in to any church. Your obedience to the Great Commission in this case may look like encouraging them to attend more often or inviting them to CPC!

3) Honestly And Negatively: “I don’t go to church.” This is a great answer to get because it means God has placed an opportunity to share the gospel right in your path. When you get this answer, you may want to ask a follow up question like, “Have you ever been to church before?” And if so, “Why did you stop going?” But don’t end that conversation until you ask a very important final question, “Would you come to church with me?”

I’ve found this “flow chart” of sorts to be a very natural and simple way to obey the Great Commission. Here’s my challenge to you: have this conversation at least once this week. It may be with the waitress at the restaurant, the cashier at the store, or the dad at your child’s ball game. Try it – and see what the Lord might do.

Your Pastor and Friend,

John Knox Foster