Tulsa Soulwinning Workshop 2009

The TSWW was well attended this year in spite of having numbers that seemed to be lower than previous years. I would rate the content of the 2009 Workshop very high. The speaker's were challenging in what they shared. The group I was with attended Memorial Drive Church on Wednesday night (heard good singing by several groups, and a good, challenging lesson by Rick Atchley) and again on our way out of Tulsa on Sunday morning.

With that said I also observed a heavy emphasis on social work, that is reaching out to the underserved of society. Since that is an area that I find my ministry with (http://www.rivercityministry.org/) I was in full agreement with us meeting the homeless, near homeless and poor where they are and welcoming them into our fellowship. Having spent a lot of time in an environment where social needs are met (food, clothing, medical needs, shelter, transportation, etc.) I know how easy it is for this ministry to become a substitute for meeting the greatest need of every person, salvation that is found only in Christ!

For several years RCM served thousands of meals, gave away tons of clothing, distributed thousands of dollars in medical supplies and saw few converted to Christ. In the past four years over 200 have been baptized into Christ. What is the difference? RCM brought evangelist in who were intentional about sharing the gospel with the lost. First it was Gerald White, a retiree who was spending his time working with "We Care Campaigns." In his two years at RCM about 60 were baptized. Then Anthony Wood was invited to RCM in the spring of 2007 to be the Evangelist for RCM. Since his arrival over 150 have been brought to the cross and salvation in Christ. His method is to intersect with those that come to RCM much like Jesus did with the woman at the well (John 4).

These conversions came about by simply asking those who come to RCM if they have a spiritual need they would like prayers for. A spiritual discussion follows and the "power of the gospel" does it's work.

My counsel is to 'ask." Just ask. See if those you know have a spiritual need that will lead to you sharing the most powerful message in the world, the message of the cross. (Do you know for sure, no doubt, that if you died today you would go to heaven?) We have that message of assurance, and we can share it.

Having a Plan for Sharing the Gospel

Years ago I was introduced to an acrostic that I have used hundreds of times and passed on to others who have used it with success. The acrostic is F O R M. If you follow this you can be into a discussion with a new aquaintance in minutes, so here it is:

F for family. Ask about their family. How many brothers and sisters do you have? Children? grandchildren, etc.
O for occupation. What kind of work do you do? (listen!) Ask other questions about their work: What got you into this line of work? etc.
R for religion. How long have you identified with this denomination? When did you join? etc.
M for message. Here is where you will need to have though out beforehand what you will share. Do you have a messge to share?

Most often I use the book of Romans to share the gospel. Others have used the book of Mark or the gospel of John. I like Romans because you can share enough with a person in one study for that lost person to know what they need to do to be saved.

The important point is to have the message of the gospel in your heart and mind and be prepared to present the gospel when the opportunity presents itself!