Evangelism - Writing the Vision Down | AGC & Discipleship Training (Jan 21st)

Name: Evangelism - Writing the Vision Down | AGC & Discipleship Training (Jan 21st)
Uploaded: 2025-06-06T05:13:11.000Z
Duration: 3 h 4 min 2 s

Training Session Overview

Reflections on Previous Training

The speaker reflects on the challenges faced during last week's training, describing it as a "long speed bump" particularly affecting connection and life coaches.

Emphasizes a cultural trust in Sri Lanka where individuals may wait for clarification rather than immediately disagreeing with teachings.

Philosophical vs. Practical Mindsets

Discusses the difference between philosophical thinking, which allows for pondering uncertainties, and a more practical Western mindset that seeks immediate answers.

Encourages connection coaches to embrace their role within the church community, highlighting loyalty and shared vision.

Importance of Engagement

Stresses the need for active participation from Wow Life coaches by watching all services to stay aligned with the church's mission.

Urges attendees to engage deeply with messages rather than sporadically attending, promoting spiritual maturity through ongoing learning.

Wrestling with Concepts

Introduces the idea of "wrestling" with God and teachings as a means of growth, emphasizing that struggle can lead to personal development.

Advocates for an upgrade in understanding away from elementary frameworks towards deeper insights.

Unique Church Dynamics

Describes Wow Life Church's unique structure in Sri Lanka and its growth into a broader community known as Wow Life World.

Highlights how growth in Sri Lanka contributes to the overall expansion of Wow Life World, reinforcing unity among different congregations.

Call to Action

Prepares attendees for upcoming training focused on evangelism while acknowledging specific examples relevant to Sri Lankan context.

Leadership and Community Engagement in WOW

The Importance of Vision and Cost

The discussion emphasizes the need to upgrade the vision as seasons change, highlighting that cost is a significant factor in this process.

Acknowledgment of the leaders' meeting location reflects a commitment to quality, indicating that higher costs are associated with providing an excellent experience for attendees.

Leadership Responsibility and Service Teams

Leaders are encouraged to step up and take greater responsibility, with an invitation for more individuals to join leadership roles such as coaches and VCs.

Being part of service teams (e.g., worship or media teams) is framed as a pathway to potential leadership, emphasizing that serving is a stepping stone towards greater responsibilities.

Heart for Service and Growth

Members of service teams should possess a genuine desire for growth within the church community; merely fulfilling duties without ambition may hinder personal development.

The speaker stresses that every level of responsibility comes with increased risk, paralleling this concept with corporate structures where higher positions entail greater accountability.

New Leadership Appointments

Announcement of Kevin and Priska as new leaders highlights their potential in addressing areas where the church has previously fallen short, particularly in community care.

Recognition of past shortcomings leads to a call for repentance regarding community engagement efforts within the church.

Fostering Community Connections

Emphasis on community care reveals its critical role in church growth; neglecting it would contradict evangelistic efforts.

Community and Connection: The Importance of Support

Building Community Beyond Geography

Emphasizes the importance of personal connections over geographical location when joining groups, focusing on shared interests like fashion, design, or literature.

Acknowledges cultural differences in community dynamics but stresses that these should not lead to segregation; rather, they should enhance unity within a greater body.

The Role of Spiritual Identity

Highlights that the primary identity is spiritual unity, urging against self-segregation within communities.

Calls for a collective wake-up call to foster community spirit and support among members.

Personal Stories Highlighting Community Gaps

Shares a poignant story about an individual lacking community support during difficult times, illustrating the need for stronger connections.

Reflects on personal experiences with loss and how community support can provide comfort during such times.

Addressing Community Needs

Advocates for establishing systems to ensure no one feels unsupported; emphasizes that responsibility should come from a deeper place rather than control.

Recognizes individuals who contribute significantly to community care but notes the limitations of what one person can do alone.

Encouraging Active Participation

Urges all members to actively participate in supporting each other during significant life events like weddings or funerals.

Leadership Appointments and Evangelism Focus

Leadership Changes

Announcement of Siobhan and Rali being appointed as leaders within the church, highlighting their important roles.

Emphasis on the significance of these appointments in managing groups or departments.

Importance of Evangelism

The message centers around evangelism, stressing its importance and encouraging participation from the congregation.

Reflection on a powerful previous service that ignited passion for evangelism, with recordings intended for a closed group only.

Spiritual Experiences

Acknowledgment of congregants experiencing profound dreams following the impactful service, indicating spiritual movement.

Many attendees reported having significant dreams that night, suggesting divine communication and vision.

Upcoming Opportunities

Mention of an upcoming meeting with a president, linking it to the empowerment received through dreams.

Discussion about how these experiences are seen as confirmations of purpose and calling for leadership roles in transforming the nation.

Understanding Evangelism vs. Church Growth

Key Questions Raised

Introduction of six questions regarding evangelism and church growth; seeking energetic responses from participants.

Differentiating Concepts

Inquiry into whether there is a difference between evangelism and church growth; participants invited to express their views by raising hands.

Understanding the Difference Between Evangelism and Church Growth

The Importance of Recognizing Differences

Understanding the distinction between evangelism and church growth is crucial for effective ministry. If one does not recognize this difference, it can lead to stagnation in outreach efforts.

Evangelism vs. Church Growth

Evangelism involves bringing individuals to Jesus, while church growth focuses on integrating them into a community of faith. Many people prefer to invite others to church rather than engage in direct evangelistic conversations themselves.

Challenges in Personal Evangelism

Few individuals feel equipped to answer complex scientific or philosophical questions about faith during personal evangelism encounters, leading many to rely on church leaders for these discussions. This reliance can hinder personal responsibility in sharing the gospel message.

The Risk of Misleading Experiences

There is a concern that new believers may end up in churches that do not align with their understanding of Jesus, potentially leading them away from true faith due to legalistic teachings instead of grace-filled messages. This highlights the importance of guiding new believers toward healthy church environments.

The Role of Communication in Bringing People to Church

It is not necessary for someone to know Jesus before attending church; however, the ultimate goal should be their eternal well-being and spiritual growth through proper teaching and fellowship within the church community. Content shared about the church plays a significant role in attracting newcomers.

How Did Holy Spirit Evangelize?

Biblical Example: Peter's Preaching

In Acts 2:38-41, Peter’s sermon led to 3,000 conversions on its first day, demonstrating how powerful preaching can lead to significant church growth when aligned with biblical doctrine and community practices like breaking bread together.

Necessity of Church Growth for Message Dissemination

For the message of Christ to spread effectively, churches must grow; individual connections alone are insufficient for ensuring eternal salvation or spiritual fulfillment without active participation in a faith community. Thus, inviting others becomes essential for both personal and communal spiritual health.

The Weight of Responsibility When Meeting Others

Impactful Encounters

Every interaction has potential consequences—either positively impacting someone's life or raising questions about their eternal fate—emphasizing the need for awareness during social engagements regarding opportunities for evangelism and invitation to church gatherings.

God-given Duty

How Does the Holy Spirit Evangelize?

The Role of Signs and Wonders

The discussion begins with a question about how the Holy Spirit evangelizes, prompting responses that highlight "signs and wonders" as key methods.

A specific example of this is given: "tongues of fire," which signifies the initial powerful act of the Holy Spirit during its arrival.

Dividing for Outreach

The speaker explains that the Holy Spirit divided itself to reach every tongue and tribe, emphasizing inclusivity in evangelism.

This division serves a crucial purpose: to connect with different groups effectively, acknowledging that each group has unique access points.

Homogeneous Unit Principle

The concept of the "homogeneous unit principle" is introduced as a theological framework for effective evangelism, focusing on reaching similar groups (e.g., by language or culture).

Examples are provided where ministries cater specifically to Tamil or Singhalese communities, illustrating how this principle operates in practice.

Profiling in Ministry

The speaker discusses profiling as a method used by God to facilitate connections within communities, despite it being viewed negatively by some.

By grouping individuals based on shared characteristics (language, food preferences), ministries can create environments where people feel at home.

Challenges of Clickiness and Elitism

There is an acknowledgment of elitism within church groups; members may become overly attached to their identities rather than embracing Christ's teachings.

Understanding Church Identity and Goals

The Nature of Church Identity

The church's identity should not be defined by individual groups or their popularity; labeling one group as "cool" while another is not creates division within the church.

Respect for diverse groups, such as the Bhavani group, is essential. Each group has its unique characteristics and styles that contribute to the overall mission.

Evangelism Focus

Groups exist primarily for evangelizing, emphasizing that each tribe can communicate in its own language to spread their message effectively.

Setting Goals for Growth

To foster growth within the church, it’s crucial to establish clear goals and a vision. Habakkuk 2 emphasizes writing down visions so they are easily understood and actionable.

A well-defined vision must be straightforward enough for anyone to grasp quickly, enabling them to take action towards achieving it.

Importance of Timelines

Establishing a timeline for goals is vital; without deadlines, progress may stagnate. The vision must have an appointed time to ensure accountability and motivation.

Actionable Steps in Goal Setting

Writing down a vision isn't just about clarity; it also involves sharing it with key individuals who can act on it. This transforms theoretical discussions into practical actions.

Effective goal setting requires measurable timelines and actionable steps. This approach aligns with contemporary goal-setting theories used by successful organizations.

Consequences of Goal Achievement

Leaders in the church decided not to meet until specific objectives were achieved, highlighting the importance of consequences in motivating action toward goals.

Types of Goals: Promotional vs. Consequential

There are two main types of goal-setting: promotional (where achievements are celebrated with incentives) and consequential (where serious outcomes drive motivation).

Fear as a Motivator

Goal Setting and the Importance of Precautionary Goals

The Role of Different Types of Goals

When setting goals, it's crucial to differentiate between promotional and precautionary goals. Promotional goals are effective for short-term achievements, while precautionary goals create a sense of urgency and consequence that can drive long-term success.

An example shared involved a commitment among friends: if their church wasn't fully attended by a set deadline, they would stop meeting until it was. This created accountability and motivation.

The result of this commitment was significant; within two months, the church was packed. This illustrates how establishing consequences can lead to tangible outcomes.

Understanding Nervous System Response

It's important to note that leaders do not need to actively evangelize for growth; rather, creating an environment where there is a perceived caution makes individuals more alert and focused on achieving the goal.

The anterior cingulate cortex plays a role in this process by monitoring when new people enter spaces like churches or boardrooms, enhancing awareness and engagement with newcomers.

Fostering Growth Through New Connections

Conversations about new attendees become frequent as groups recognize patterns in attendance. This focus on new individuals naturally fosters growth within the community.

While evangelism is still necessary, recognizing the importance of new members is essential for maintaining an active and vibrant community.

Avoiding Complacency in Relationships

The Risk of Settling into Familiarity

Individuals may fall into complacency by only engaging with familiar friends or groups. This tendency can hinder personal growth and limit opportunities for new connections.

Acknowledging others' life stories is vital; however, reluctance to engage with new people can restrict one's social circle and experiences.

Balancing Old Friendships with New Connections

Maintaining friendships is important but should not come at the expense of building new relationships. Engaging with outsiders helps keep perspectives fresh and encourages community evolution.

The unique setup within their group allows for strong bonds but also poses risks if members become too insular. Regularly seeking out new connections prevents stagnation.

Celebrating Milestones with Purpose

Significance of Community Events

Celebrating anniversaries or milestones serves as an opportunity to reach out beyond existing circles. For instance, spending significantly on events demonstrates commitment to inclusivity and accessibility within the community.

These events are not merely social gatherings; they aim to facilitate connections among diverse individuals who might otherwise feel excluded from the community's activities.

Ensuring Inclusivity in Gatherings

It’s crucial that event invitations consider those who can foster meaningful interactions rather than simply filling seats. Creating welcoming environments encourages participation from all members.

Investment in Community Engagement

Importance of Commitment

The speaker emphasizes the investment made in community engagement, highlighting the eagerness of individuals like Mandra and Minoli to participate and support the initiative.

Acknowledges the need for ongoing interaction with community members through regular meetings, indicating a commitment to nurturing relationships.

Goal Setting for Growth

The speaker stresses the importance of goal setting within coaching groups, urging participants to discuss objectives related to B Life Church.

The primary goal identified is "growth," specifically aiming to expand the church's congregation by 2025.

Strategies for Achieving Goals

Participants are encouraged to focus on specific growth targets provided by their coaches rather than personal aspirations, emphasizing collective effort towards a common objective.

New attendees are considered valuable assets toward achieving growth goals; their presence is framed as essential for reaching set numbers.

Confidentiality and Loyalty

Building Trust Within Groups

The speaker establishes a culture of confidentiality, stressing that discussions within this group should remain private and not be shared outside.

Individuals who struggle with accepting or understanding the group's vision may need to reconsider their participation level, reinforcing loyalty among committed members.

Encouraging Participation Beyond Meetings

Members are encouraged to contribute positively by sharing information about church activities and spreading its message within their networks.

Plans for outreach programs in locations like the US, Australia, and India are mentioned as opportunities for further engagement.

Engagement Strategies for Growth

Seeking Input from Members

The speaker invites suggestions on how the church can assist members in contributing effectively towards growth initiatives.

Teaching as a Tool for Development

Discussion on Trust and Loyalty

Importance of Trust

The speaker emphasizes the risk involved in sharing information, highlighting a need for trust among the group.

There is a caution against public disclosure of sensitive information to maintain strategic advantage.

Building Relationships

The speaker expresses a desire to build relationships based on loyalty and faithfulness, which are deemed essential values.

A call is made for attendees to represent the organization positively, indicating that personal growth is tied to community engagement.

Growth Mindset and Community Engagement

Encouragement to Step Out of Comfort Zones

Attendees are urged to leave their comfort zones and embrace new perspectives for personal and communal growth.

The connection between individual purpose and God's purpose through church involvement is emphasized as crucial for achieving personal goals.

Overcoming Complacency

The speaker warns against stagnation in both personal lives and church activities, advocating for proactive engagement.

Financial contributions linked with church involvement are presented as beneficial not only for the church but also for individual aspirations.

Personal Responsibility in Faith

Personal Consequences of Actions

Emphasis is placed on understanding why actions matter personally; there should be a deeper connection beyond mere duty.

Call to Authenticity

A challenge is issued against hypocrisy; true commitment requires genuine sacrifice akin to Jesus Christ's example.

Vision and Commitment

Purpose Behind Leadership Efforts

The speaker reflects on their dedication towards fostering growth within the community, questioning what drives their efforts.

Collective Growth Through Sacrifice

What is Our Duty as Christians?

The Call to Action

Emphasizes the importance of fulfilling God's calling by actively participating in church activities, such as evangelism and prayer for others.

Highlights that serving God is not about obligation but rather a reflection of friendship and loyalty to Jesus Christ.

Community and Support

Discusses the significance of community within the church, where members can share their stories and support one another.

Critiques "seeker-friendly" churches that may attract crowds without delivering absolute truth, suggesting that genuine growth comes from deeper spiritual engagement.

The Importance of Prayer

Stresses the necessity of prayer within the church community to foster growth and connection among members.

Introduces a biblical reference about growth according to one's kind, indicating that spiritual growth aligns with one's faith journey.

How Can We Attract More People to Church?

Leveraging Events for Growth

Points out that events like Christmas services are effective in attracting Christians back to church due to their festive nature.

Suggests using significant dates (e.g., Ash Wednesday, Easter Sunday) as opportunities for outreach and inviting friends.

Fasting and Conferences

Proposes organizing a five-day program during Lent focused on willpower and grit, encouraging participation through fasting.

Encourages flexibility in fasting practices while promoting communal events aimed at breaking addictions and enhancing personal strength.

Engaging Messages

Plans for impactful messages during major events designed to empower attendees with practical tools for overcoming challenges.

Breaking Patterns and Building Community

The Importance of Events in Community Engagement

Discusses the significance of breaking patterns to increase willpower and fortitude, emphasizing how a conference combining neuroscience and spirituality can attract attendees.

Mentions the origin of the "5-day program," highlighting its appeal due to its focus on personal growth and community involvement.

Explains how events like Good Friday services draw people in, particularly those who may not regularly attend church, by offering familiar traditions such as hymns.

Shares a personal anecdote about an individual returning to church after 14 years, illustrating the impact of engaging events on attendance.

Proposes hosting themed conferences (e.g., women's empowerment through "The Bride") to foster community growth and support.

Empowering Through Themed Conferences

Describes the goal of empowering women during a month-long conference focused on their identity and worth within the community.

Questions whether this approach could lead to growth, suggesting that targeted events can effectively attract new members.

Introduces plans for a men's conference titled "The Spartan" or "Gladiator," aimed at addressing male leadership needs within the church context.

Emphasizes that men also require guidance and support, indicating that both genders need tailored programs for effective engagement.

Distinguishes between evangelism and church growth strategies, asserting that understanding these differences is crucial for successful outreach.

Strategies for Sustaining Growth

Discusses how establishing clear patterns can help perpetuate community engagement over time through consistent programming.

Highlights the ease of inviting individuals to Christmas services due to established traditions, which can lead to increased attendance numbers.

Expresses confidence in achieving significant attendance goals by leveraging well-planned events throughout the year.

Discouragement and Offense: Understanding Momentum

The Role of Offense in Discouragement

The speaker emphasizes that discouragement often stems from offense, which is identified as a primary strategy used against individuals.

Offense leads to feelings of disillusionment and hopelessness, highlighting its significant impact on mental and emotional states.

Attacks on Momentum

The discussion shifts to how offense specifically attacks momentum, referencing the absence of coaches as an example of this disruption.

The speaker notes that external factors (like business calls or appointments) can detract from one's commitment to spiritual growth and community involvement.

Prioritizing God's Kingdom

A biblical principle is introduced: "Seek first the kingdom of God," stressing the importance of prioritizing spiritual commitments over worldly distractions.

Personal anecdotes illustrate the necessity of maintaining non-negotiable commitments to faith, even when faced with significant professional opportunities.

Maintaining Spiritual Integrity

The speaker recounts a situation where they chose a prior commitment over a high-profile appointment, reinforcing their dedication to God's purposes.

This decision reflects a broader theme: honoring God’s vision takes precedence over personal gain or convenience.

Understanding Spiritual Momentum

The concept of momentum is further explored; disruptions can hinder growth within both personal and communal contexts.

Emphasis is placed on attending both Tuesday and Sunday gatherings for sustained spiritual development, indicating that each serves a unique purpose in fostering community growth.

Biblical Principles on Action

A biblical story illustrates the importance of taking action; striking arrows symbolizes engaging with one’s challenges actively.

The Importance of Intensity and Momentum in Spiritual Growth

The Role of Intensity

The speaker emphasizes the necessity of intensity in one's spiritual life, stating that a lack of it can hinder progress.

Lethargy is identified as a significant barrier to achieving goals, equating it with spiritual challenges that prevent attendance at church.

Momentum and Its Impact

A biblical reference illustrates the importance of momentum; striking the ground three times symbolizes insufficient effort compared to what could have been achieved.

The speaker expresses frustration over missed opportunities due to inadequate intensity, suggesting that more effort could lead to greater victories.

Consistency Towards Goals

The speaker notes recent growth within the church community, highlighting an influx of new members as evidence of building momentum.

A target is set for reaching a thousand members by year-end, emphasizing the need for focused and consistent efforts.

Effective Prayer Strategies

Specificity in Prayer

The speaker discusses daily prayer routines and stresses the importance of mentioning specific names during prayers for effective outreach.

Targeting Communities

By praying for individuals who represent certain communities (e.g., millionaires), one can open doors to broader networks and opportunities.

Personal Testimony on Prayer Effectiveness

A personal anecdote reveals how focusing prayer on one billionaire led to connections with multiple others, illustrating the power of targeted prayer.

Daily Practice for Results

Regularly mentioning names in prayers is encouraged; this practice is believed to soften hearts and create openings for conversations about faith.

Conclusion on Evangelism Approach

PR School Video Announcement

Overview of PR School Video Series

The upcoming PR school video is a three-minute presentation designed to introduce various series topics such as grit, willpower, and fasting. The goal is to provide content that helps the church community.

A movie trailer-style promotion will be created for each series, allowing participants to share it easily with others to encourage attendance at conferences. This promotional material aims to highlight key themes and objectives of the events.

Spiritual Awakening Experience

Kuri's Revelation

At 3 a.m., Kuri experiences a moment of clarity, feeling a shift in the atmosphere that suggests an impending upgrade or change in his spiritual journey. He recalls the scripture "Ask for rain in the time of the latter rain," indicating hope and anticipation for divine blessings.

Kuri reflects on his frustrations watching others receive abundance while he feels overlooked despite his efforts; he longs for spiritual fulfillment and guidance through prayer and faith.

Transformation Academy Encounter

Skepticism Towards New Opportunities

While scrolling through TikTok, Kuri encounters an advertisement for Transformation Academy but initially dismisses it as another misleading religious initiative based on past experiences. Despite skepticism, he senses something deeper calling him towards this opportunity.

An intriguing whisper encourages him to explore further: "higher. Your breath is the energy." This prompts him to reconsider his initial dismissal as he connects it with a dream featuring an eastern voice from earlier experiences.

Meditation Discovery

Historical Context of Meditation

Kuri discovers meditation techniques developed by Christians during China's Tang Dynasty, which excites him due to its historical significance within Christianity and its potential benefits for modern practice. This realization leads him into a profound state of stillness and connection with spirituality described as "the vast mind of Christ."

Media Production Insights

Launching Transformation Academy

The video produced by WOW Media announces the launch of Transformation Academy, showcasing creative talent within their team capable of producing engaging promotional content tailored for various series offerings. This highlights their commitment to quality media production aimed at enhancing community engagement through effective storytelling methods.