Well, enough of that. I am an optimist and would rather focus on how to see God work to change us than to dwell on our failures. The most common question asked by my students is, "How can I lead the church to which God has recently called me to become evangelistic?"

The reason they ask that, sadly, stems from the fact that most churches are not evangelistic. In fact, the first commitment a church loses is her commitment to evangelism. How does one refocus a church on evangelism? The good news is it can happen! But short of a mighty outpouring of revival, it won't happen overnight. The focus of a church is redirected more like an aircraft carrier than a Jet ski. Here are three pillars upon which you can begin to rebuild a passion for Christ and His gospel:

1. Model your message. If you are a pastor, you have the greatest opportunity to bring about change that honors Christ. Like it or not, over time your people will become like you. Your passion for evangelism will be contagious. How can you become an effective model?

* Feed the flame of God in your heart. Richard Baxter, the Puritan who went through several building campaigns centuries ago because of the remarkable growth of his church, said it best: "[Your people] will likely feel when you have been with God: That which is most on your hearts, is like to be most in their ears" (page 172, Firefall). In other words, your people know if you walk with God, or if you share your faith. And they know if you don't. Where are you in your devotional life? Is personal soul-winning genuinely a priority for you? The men I know who have led churches to a renewed evangelistic focus, from pastors Johnny Hunt to Larry Wynn to James Merrittt, to many whose names are not well known, lead by modeling their passion for God.

* Remember, evangelism is caught more than taught. Every week take a layperson with you to make evangelistic visits. Let people know you are sharing Christ. Also, each week, in the course of a sermon, or informally, mention an occasion when you shared Christ the previous week. Such a goal will hold you accountable to witness and will greatly encourage your people.

* Don't overlook the "grunt" work of ministry. Personal evangelism and a healthy devotional life are not easy to maintain in the grind of ministry. Keep before you the fact that these are non-negotiables and are thus not subject to how you "feel" on a given day. By the way, a close friend with a heart for God to serve as an accountability partner is a great help!

2. Teach the People Well. Beyond your personal example, your teaching ministry is most effective in rekindling an evangelistic fervor.

* Train them to share their faith. First Place is a popular and effective way to gain health and lose weight through spiritual resources. People using First Place knew they needed to shape up; the approach gave them a disciplined way to do so. In the same way, an effective method is greatly helpful in getting believers to do what they know they should do--share Christ. At least annually offer some kind of witness training, making sure the training is encouraging in tone and gets the people out of the class and into the streets. (Excellent resources are available through LifeWay Christian Resources and the North American Mission Board, SBC.)

* Teach them to love fish as much as they love to catch. Many believers don't share their faith because they think you are only successful when you lead someone to Christ. Not so! Our Lord did not reach all with whom He spoke. No, success is in sharing. If you share, at some point you will reap. If 80 percent of life is showing up, and it is, then encourage them to "show up" each day looking for simple ways to share.

* Teach them what New Testament Christianity is--a radically changed life through Christ, not showing up for church on Sunday. Take them deep into God's Word. For some, true spiritual maturity is agreeing to serve on the nominating committee. Remind them that God's desire is not primarily to make us comfortable but to conform us to the image of Christ. After all, if comfort were our goal, we would never risk the rejection that comes from sharing our faith. Teach the flock that our goal is not happiness but holiness, that true joy comes from an intimate, submitted life before God. By the way, such teaching is not grasped in one good sermon!

3. Give a Vision as Big as the World. Finally, help your people see that their service to Christ is part of a much greater work. Remind them that they are part of something much bigger than themselves!

* Get out of the sanctuary into reality. Take a group on a short-term mission trip to another state or country. Let them see there is a great big world out there that needs the gospel. They will love it! Then, instill in the folks that while your church cannot reach the whole world, it can reach your part of it.

* Sponsor a new church plant. Help the people be a part of something bigger than themselves. "My church is too small," you might say. I know a church in New Hampshire that helped to sponsor a new church. The "mother church" had only ten members! If churches in the Bible belt had such commitment, we just might reach this nation.

* Picture your people as what they could be someday not what they are today. A great leader sees the potential in those they lead that they don't see in themselves. Keep before your people what they could be to the glory of God.

Let me close with another quote by that great Puritan Baxter: "If then, the saving of souls, of your neighbor's souls, many souls, from everlasting misery, be worth your labour, up and be doing!" (page 172, Firefall).

Editor's note: Alvin Reid is a dear friend and ministry partner. We are delighted that he has agreed to be a frequent contributor to Total Life Journal, and that we are able to feature this article in our first issue. He is the author of many excellent books about evangelism and revival, including Firefall, which he co-wrote with Malcolm McDow (Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 1997). Dr. Reid is Associate Professor of Evangelism/Bailey Smith Chair of Evangelism, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina.