Evangelism Project

Recently I came across some evangelism material I had developed for a class and realized I wasn't doing what I had taught. As I review my mannerisms on our Great Commission I would like to ask each of you for your assistance in revitalizing this 'main thing' of our ministry. I feel that my evangelism has been from the pulpit rather than in the field. I know I must change this approach but have great difficulty in accomplishing it ALONE. I have tried to get some local preachers personally involved with the concept of working together by trading a day in each other's neighborhood - all to no avail - maybe they have the same problem I have - motivation.
Soooooo ... in light of this dilemma I and probably others out there of my 75 or so recipients of my 'weekly sermon' we should be able to talk this out and find out the keys to doing the Master's business more efficiently.
I am not looking at this moment - METHODOLOGIES because I have been through the 'Fisher's of Men,' 'OBS' and used Juel Miller programs. What I am asking us to do is to discover WHAT ARE THE BASICS? What do I do first in going? As the team must learn the basics - ball handling, tackling, and getting the first - first down, what are our basics? What do you do to psyche yourself up or begin that first conversation. As each of you respond I will post the gleanings and pass them on. If you choose not to help and are being somewhat successful in setting up studies or getting folk to attend - you are greatly hindering the gospel of Christ by not passing on what you know and what you do. As a child imitates his father or mother, we must imitate that which is working today. So I hope this will be well received not only as a personal plea but as a launching pad to help others in their respective work. So what do you consider to be the BASICS - boil it down.

Below is a take from a book written for salespeople by Frank Bettger.
Rule #1
ENTHUSIASM, THE “SPARK PLUG” OF EVANGELISM Frank Bettger in 1907 played baseball for a Tri-state League in Pennsylvania. He was fired one day by the manager. When he asked why, his manager said, “Because you are lazy.” He continued, “You drag yourself around lake a veteran of 20 years. Why do you act that way if you are not lazy?” Frank responded, “Well, I’m so nervous and scared, that I want to hide my fear from the crowd... I hope that by taking it easy I’d get rid of my nervousness.” The manager said, “Frank, that will never work. When you leave here, for heaven sakes, wake yourself up, and put some life and enthusiasm into your work.” Frank went from $175.00 month to $25.00 a month. Though he didn’t feel very enthusiastic, he began to ACT enthusiastic. In three days an old ball player asked him, “What in the world are you doing in a rank bush-league like this?” Because Frank began to ACT enthusiastic and changed his role in life.
1. He got moved from that low rate team to a better league.
2. There he allowed his nervousness work for him.
3. His enthusiasm affected the other players and they too became enthusiastic.
4. During games of extreme heat or despite the score he played enthusiastically and left the field knowing he had done his very best that day.
The local newspapers started calling him “Pep” Bettger, the life of the team. In 10 days he went from $25.00 to $185.00 a month not because he could hit any better, throw better or had any more ability than his peers. He simply became enthusiastic about what he was doing! Not long before that he was playing for a pro team, the Saint Louis Cardinals.
Other than truth presented in a loving way, ENTHUSIASM is by far the biggest selling tool you have in your evangelistic arsenal. Without enthusiasm your religious discussions is about a dead as last year’s turkey. So if you want to become enthusiastic about the gospel, ACT enthusiastic!
Victory
You are the man who used to boast
That you’d achieve the uttermost,
Some day.

You merely wished a show,
To demonstrate how much you know
And prove the distance you can go. . . .

Another year we’ve just passed through.
What new ideas came to you?
How many big things did you do?

Time. . .left twelve fresh months in your care
How many of them did you share
With opportunity and dare
Again where you so often missed?

We do not find you on the list of Makers Good.
Explain the fact!
Ah no, ‘twas not the chance you lacked!
As usual - you failed to act!