A Dozen
Dysfunctions
& Myths About
Outreach and
What To Do
About ThemAlan Nelson,
Ed.D.
Executive Editor Rev! Magazine
12 Myths &False Assumptions of
Pastors & Church-goers
1. It’s the “organized” church’s job to evangelize a
community.
2. When people say, “outreach,” they’re talking about the
same thing.
3. Canned approaches still
work.
4. Armed with ample apologetics, we can convince people to believe in Christ.
5. Church mission statements including
“evangelism/outreach” components
are effective.
6. Revival services are productive means
of outreach.
7. Church marketing with slick ads and
postcards are sufficient to gain new
members.
8. A growing church is a sign of effective
evangelism.
9. Attraction events are sufficient to
introduce people to Christ.
10. Confrontational evangelism is effective
if more Christians would just implement
it.
11. Altar calls (invitations) at the end of church services are the primary way that people make decisions
for Christ.
12. It’s fair to assume that people attending church have a personal
relationship with Christ.
Turn or burn
preaching and
street corner
evangelism
Confrontational
approaches
(Evangelism
Explosion, surveys)
Canned plans
(4 Spiritual Laws,
tracts, EE)
Stadium events /
Crusades (Graham,
Harvest, PK)
Apologetics
(convincing facts
and arguments,
McDowell, Bible
Answer Man)
Altar calls /
invitations for
decisions at the
end of sermons
Attraction events
(family fun days,
comedy night, Big
Days)
Quality seeker
services
(i.e. North Point,
Willow, Saddleback,
Fellowship)
Friendship evangelism
(Outflow, Contagious
Christian, Just Walk
Across the Room)
Experiential
worship
(i.e. worship
evangelism)
Service evangelism
(let me serve you-
no strings, Outflow,
Sjogren)
Incarnational
evangelism / green
house effect
(let’s serve others
together; I.e. Bono,
Habitat, Africa, HIV)
Co-journey /
agenda-less
friendships / “us”
(Beliefnet.com)
Listening shouts, “I
care about you more
than an answer.”
Teach people to ask
better questions;
Jesus did.
Facilitate random
acts of kindness…
just cuz.
Liberate people
from the church
calendar crunch.
Equip people to use their
gifts, inside & outside the
church doors.