Good News for a Change

Crossover strongly encourages mission and evangelism outside the walls of the church building, but we should not neglect opportunities inside as well. ‘Attractional’ is not the opposite of ‘Missional’, as inherent in the gospel is an invitation to be adopted into the family of God. It may well be truer to say that ‘Uninviting’ is the opposite of ‘Missional.’ 

The advantages of corporate evangelism include:

• It involves all the parts of the body of Christ – speakers, carers, hosts, caterers, welcomers, musicians – all have a part to play.
• It gives opportunity to our super-power: By this will everyone know you are my disciples, if you love one another. It’s a powerful thing for outsiders to get a taste of Christian community. There’s likely a love in your church that reaches across generations, across political leanings, education and wealth levels – we can take it for granted but it’s increasingly rare.
• Speaking evangelistically in church services are good for our young people (who also need gospelling), good for long-term attenders who are still weak in faith, and encouraging for the strong – we can all use a gospel reminder.
• Speaking evangelistically in church models clear gospel communication and gives ideas for members to share elsewhere.
• Effective evangelistic content in church services, and hospitable embrace of newcomers and enquirers, make church members much more likely to have confidence to invite their friends, family and neighbours in future.