This lesson speaks to the very heart of local church ministry. Jesus Himself came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). But in so many of our churches today, I see pastors fervently reading books and attending conferences, but never really settling in for intentional soulwinning—building the church the way God designed.

If you want to reignite the soulwinning fervor in your church and in your own heart, this lesson is for you. You may not need to read another book or find another conference. You may need to simply take some time with the Lord and ask Him to stir your heart once again with a passion for souls.

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Before and after this lesson, I answer the following in-studio questions: (more…)

When I look at my December calendar, I just about break into a cold sweat. You probably feel the same way. It seems there is no end to how many wonderful activities can be packed into this special time of year!

And yet, one of the decisions that I make early every December is that soulwinning will remain one of my highest priorities—even through the busyness. In my case, and I think probably in yours as well, the only way effective soulwinning will happen through this season is if I schedule it.

Sometimes we treat soulwinning like an appendage—an auxiliary activity for when we’re not too busy. But the very reason we have Christmas is because Christ came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). I’m thankful He saved me. And I’m thankful He gave me the opportunity and responsibility to share the Gospel with others (Mark 16:15). (more…)

The very heart of local church ministry is soulwinning—reaching lost people with the Gospel of Christ. A church that is not actively engaged in obeying Christ’s Great Commission is not fulfilling Christ’s purpose for the church.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.—Matthew 28:19–20

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.—Mark 16:15

This month’s spiritual leadership podcast lesson is a challenge to lead your church to become more fervent in its soulwinning efforts and to make your church known in your community as a church that reaches out and sees people receive Christ as Saviour. Through this lesson, we look at several practical ways you can encourage this heart in your people. We also learn from Scripture the underlying philosophy and structure that supports soulwinning fruitfulness. (more…)

If you were a football player, you would think the most precious possession during a game was the football. Should you have the opportunity to receive or intercept a pass, you would run with everything you had toward the goal line, while protecting the ball from the other team.

God has entrusted to our care a truth far more valuable than a football. It is the Gospel.

Paul understood this trust like few of us do today. Notice his personal ownership of the Gospel.

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19)

God has specifically committed the Gospel to our trust, and He has commanded us to take it to the world. Yet, like the football player in the clip below, many Christians today are fumbling in this commission. (more…)

When my aunts and uncles were growing up on a ranch in Southwest Colorado, a man by the name of “Pop Kinney” visited the house. He explained that he was with the American Sunday School Union and was holding a Vacation Bible School for kids there in that rural area.

My granddad wasn’t much interested in religion. He had only been in one church service in his life, and they told him he needed to be baptized to go to Heaven. Later, he brought a family member to a healing crusade, but the family member was apparently too sick. Security made sure she never made it to the front of the line. From that day on, Granddad was disillusioned and thought it was all pretty fake.

But Pop Kinney was a different kind of Christian than anyone Granddad had met before. He was bold in his witness, but kind in his demeanor, and he was not at all ashamed of the Gospel. Pretty soon, Pop Kinney had all of my aunts and uncles going to the Vacation Bible School. (more…)