Soil must be Examined, Prepared and Adopted      

/files/Pictures/Evangelism/Logos/Harvest/Soil preparedsm.jpgKnowing and proactively responding to the community in which the church is located is a strategic step in evangelizing effectively. Rather than a posture of a Christian church-culture residing in the community insulated from it’s language, media and issues, the church must know and adopt the community.

Who has God called our church to love and reach- how well do we know them?

Knowing the leaders, habits, and history of the community are critical to planning and planting the seeds of the gospel.  Some areas are going to be very receptive while others will require patient hard work.

/files/Pictures/Evangelism/Logos/Harvest/fields1.gifFor the local church to be missional and evangelistic, it must know and understand the field it seeks to harvest. This has been a key value of international missionaries and indigenous church planters for many years, but much less practiced by older existing churches. The church needs to exegete the direct culture that God has uniquely planted it into, so that a harvest can be brought in at all. 

Vance Havner once said, "The great tragedy of our day is that the situation is desperate but the saints are not." If we are to adopt the community around us, we must care enough for the lost to get engaged. We must care enough to know our audience well enough to craft our communication so it reaches them. This is how Paul approached the Greeks of Athens. Are we desperate to share the gospel in our Jerusalem? Read this challenging article by our SBC President Johnny Hunt on engaging .

Resources Useful for Examining, Preparing and adopting the Soil: 

  1. The Center for Missional Research by the North American Mission Board is a strong and useful tool for examining the soil of your community.Here are a number of studies done by the Center of Missional Research on NEW ENGLAND which should provide your church excellent information:
  2. The BCNE has subscribed to the Mapping Center software and online services for the benefit of churches doing evangelism. Through this service, churches can request name and address lists of streets, neighborhoods and zip codes for prayerwalking or direct mail efforts. Ethnic names and households can also be identified or sorted. Contact our office today to inquire or download and use the GPS Name Mapping Request form.
  3. Two integral tools for the church in moving out into and knowing the community or field it is within are Sevanthood and MinistryEvangelism. There is power and impact to evangelism when Christ followers and the church together serve the  community with loving kindness. Serving the community enables the church to learn about the needs of the community as well. Examine the following:              /files/Pictures/Buttons Bars/buttoneosma10b_Resized_17x17.gif Servanthood Evangelism        /files/Pictures/Buttons Bars/buttoneosma10b_Resized_17x17.gif  Ministry Evangelism

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    Key to preparing the soil is prayer. Prayer is the essential element to every aspect of evangelism as it is for every individual Christian living a transformed life. For resources and information related to prayer, go to our Pastoral Leadership section of our website.


The five stages of the Harvest Process are…

1. Lord of the Harvest
The Lord of the Harvest level teaches us that the harvest begins with God
Is your church passionate about Christ? Does your church need renewal or revival?
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2. The Farm & the Workers Must be Ready
The Farm and the Workers must be ready to receive the Harvest or the results will diminish proportionately.
Is the church body ready for the harvest?
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3. Soil must be Examined, Prepared and Adopted
Knowing and proactively responding to the community in which the church is located is a strategic step in evangelizing effectively. Rather than a posture of a Christian church-culture residing in the community insulated from it’s language, media and issues, the church must know and adopt the community.
Who has God called our church to love and reach- how well do we know them?


4. Seed Sowing must be Regular, Persistent & Intentional
We cannot expect a harvest if we have sown little or no seed.  Seed sowing represents the work of the church in the community.
In what ways are you regularly sowing seeds into your community?
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5. Harvest is the culmination of the process
Harvest time involves the effective partnering of those who have sown with those who now reap those ready to worship God through His Son Jesus Christ.
How intentional is your church harvesting and following up the harvest so the cycle continues?
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