How Do We Measure Up?

by Don Matthews                                                                                        Vol. XVIII, No. 7, August 2005

In his recent book, Effective Evangelistic Churches, Thom Rainer has revealed some interesting information. In his survey of great evangelistic churches, he discovered that “Of the nearly 40,000 Southern Baptist churches, approximately 1,400 met both parameters of at least twenty-six baptisms and a baptism ratio of less than 20:1" To these churches he sent an extensive ten page survey. Over 700 of these surveys were returned. The survey included questions related to evangelistic methods, attitudes toward evangelism, worship style, type of congregation, theological beliefs, preaching type, as well as other general questions dealing with discipleship and stewardship.

One common thread that was prevalent in each of these churches was their "strong" emphasis on Sunday School. "They believe in Sunday School as a primary instrument for teaching, reaching, ministering, and discipling." Three most common elements in these growing, evangelistic churches include: First, a strong evangelistic pulpit; second, a strong (intentional) prayer ministry; and third, a strong emphasis on Sunday School. The following items were the major elements that were discovered:

1.) Few effective evangelistic churches use event evangelism.

2.) Revival evangelism is still alive and well.

3.) The best baptismal ratios were in medium-sized churches.

4.) Effective evangelistic churches advocate evangelistic training more than they practice it.

5.) Weekday ministries are not effective for evangelistic effectiveness.

6.) Traditional outreach is alive and well.

7.) The age of the church is not related to evangelistic effectiveness.

8.) Location is not a factor in the church's evangelistic growth.

9.) Offering choices does not necessarily help the church's evangelistic effectiveness.

10.) Few effective evangelistic churches offer seeker services.

Last year, there were 1,190 men, women, and children baptized in the Midwestern area [of Virginia]. Our prayer for this year is that we will see a significant increase in that number. My personal goal is to see at least a twenty-six percent increase which would result in over 1,500 baptisms. With the Lord's help, we can do that and more. Ephesians 3:20-21 says, "Now to him who is able to immeasurably more than all we ask or Imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory throughout all generations forever and ever, Amen." (NIV).

[Reprinted from The Mustard Seed, the newsletter of the SBCV-Blue Ridge, March 2003.]