I was recently asked by a Kentucky Baptist pastor, “What can I do to be a more evangelistic pastor?” His question was a response to 2 Timothy 4:5b, which calls on Pastors to, “do the work of an evangelist” (KJV). Not all pastors fulfill the office of the evangelist (Ephesians 4:11), but all pastors are called to do the work of one.

So, what can a pastor do to become more personally evangelistic? Consider these seven disciplines of an evangelistic pastor.

1. Pray for lost and unchurched people by name. One thing every pastor can do is compile a list of people who appear to be far from God and pray for those people on a daily or weekly basis. One pastor in West Kentucky acted on this admonition. He and the deacons of the church compiled a list of 72 unchurched men who lived within driving distance of the church that they would agree to pray for on a regular basis.

2. Read two books per year on evangelism. President Harry Truman has been credited with coining the phrase, “not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” If leaders are readers, then it stands to reason that those who wish to lead evangelistically must also read evangelistically. One good practice is to read at least two evangelistic books per year.

An easy way to start is with Greg Laurie’s “Tell Someone,” or Matt Queen’s “Everyday Evangelism.” If someone wants a more in-depth work, then I would recommend Alvin Reid’s “Evangelism Handbook: Biblical, Spiritual, Intentional, Missional.” These books, and others like them, may be used by the Holy Spirit to prompt pastors to do the work of an evangelist.

3. Practice personal evangelism in your church community. Find some way to be intentionally evangelistic in the community where your church family is located. For some this will mean spending time in a local restaurant or coffee shop while for others it will involve hitting the streets and knocking on doors to intentionally share the gospel. Consider setting a goal for the number of homes you would like to visit each week, or the number of gospel conversations you intend to have each week. For many busy people, if evangelism is not on the calendar it does not happen.

4. Take someone with you in your intentional evangelism efforts. One great way to motivate yourself to follow through on intentional personal evangelism is to take someone with you when you go out to share the gospel. Jesus sent His followers out to by two and we will find it is helpful for us to have a friend along when we hope to share the good news.

5. Complete a witness training course each year. While most pastors feel comfortable sharing Christ, and have a way in which they like to share, it is still a good refresher to complete a personal evangelism course annually. Some good options include Jimmy Scroggins’ “3 Circles,” Greg Laurie’s “Tell Someone,” or Ray Comfort’s “The Way of the Master.”

6. Attend local evangelism equipping events. The KBC is offering a wide variety of evangelism equipping events for pastors, church planters, church staff, directors of missions, and interested lay persons, in many locations in 2017. ReFocus evangelism coaching has already started with Steve Ayers, pastor of Hillvue Heights in Bowling Green. Reset Evangelism will be happening in July at four different locations in the state. We are also offering “3 Circles Evangelism Equipping” for leaders in multiple locations across the state. These events are intended to inspire, motivate and equip Kentucky Baptist leaders to be more intentionally evangelistic.

7. Pray the three part daily evangelistic prayer. A form of this three-part prayer has been shared by Alvin Reid, Paige Patterson and probably others. The version put out by Alvin Reid says, “God, give me (1) an opportunity to witness today, (2) the wisdom to see it, (3) and boldness to take it.” (Alvin Reid, Evangelism Handbook: Biblical, Spiritual, Intentional, Missional, page 181.)

So, how can we become more evangelistic? Consider some of these ideas or others. It is OK that some pastors may be more naturally evangelistic, or more effective, or even more passionate about evangelism than we are. It is not OK, however, that we do not do the work of the evangelist. Let’s pray for, and encourage, each other to obey God’s word to us from 2 Timothy 4:5b, “Do the work of an evangelist.”

Todd Gray, team leader for KBC’s Evangelism, Church Planting, and Collegiate Ministry Team, can be reached at (270) 889-4276, or by email at todd.gray@kybaptist.org