GIFTS

As we reach out to others with the Gospel through the local church, we should follow the pattern given in the Bible

We can expect the Holy Spirit to work with us, when we follow the Bible, since these are the channels he chooses

The work of sharing the good news is done by evangelists and witnesses, and though not all evangelists, we are all called to be witnesses to the Lord Jesus Christ

God calls some to the role of evangelist, and we can tell by the gifts he gives them, of helping people come to faith in Jesus. These may be preachers, but they may be individuals who are effective on a personal level. Pastors may not be gifted as evangelists, but still do the work of an evangelist as part of their ministry. This is perhaps the simplest summary of the Bible pattern you could have

We should pray that God will give gifts of his Spirit, so the work of evangelism can be fulfilled through the church

At the same time we must all fulfil the role of witnesses, pointing to Jesus, and this can include leading someone to faith in Jesus, following the steps necessary from the Bible

As Jesus taught his disciples, 'therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest,' Matthew 9v38