We cannot expect a harvest if we have sown little or no seed.  Seed sowing represents the work of the church in the community. 

"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear." (Mat. 13:3-9 NIV)

Seed sowing represents the Word of God being broadcast into the community in which God has planted us.  It can be spoken, printed, demonstrated or dramatized. Seeds can be spread through servant evangelism, ministry evangelism, mass media, or by any actions that demonstrate the love of God in word or deed.  The more these seeds can be sown in the community the greater a harvest, especially if done with intentionality and cultivation with  prayer.

If we are going to be cheap, let it not be in this area.  The more seeds the greater the harvest.  In reality numbers matter and their effect is two fold: one is the effect on those receiving the ministry the other is on the one doing the ministry.  The time has come for us to exalt the position of seed sowing to that of the harvester.

Rick Warren suggest that 20% of a churches annual budget should be in the area of advertising the church ministry.  What if we spent that much money in seed sowing on an annual base?

Seed sowing is the responsibility of the entire church body. How can a church be lead to be more productive in sowing? Read this inspiring article . 

Prayer is the essential element to every aspect of evangelism, particularly seed sowing. For resources and information related to prayer, go to our Pastoral Leadership section of our website.

There are a number of other very useful resources for preparing the church and it's members for evangelism and harvest at our evangelism resource page. Page down to the Seed Sowing section.

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?
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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?

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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