It’s been about 18 months since we started Outward OPC, which leads us to reflect on a couple of things we’ve learned over the first year and a half of this project. 1. There are many remarkable and wonderful things happening in the OPC regarding evangelism. From the simple and quiet development of gospel-directed relationship […]
New Books on Evangelism
Over the past year, John Shaw has recommended 2 books on evangelism to churches and to Outward OPC. Numerous people have confirmed their value. They are: Get Real by John Leonard The Gospel Comes With A House Key by Rosaria Butterfield Within the past year, there has been a small flurry of interesting looking books […]
Reader Q&A: Tracts?
Reader Question: What gospel tract do you recommend, especially for purposes of giving something out when your church has a stand at a fair or festival? This can be a challenging question because there is some subjectivity involved and it seems that no tract is perfect. We will, however, make our best attempt to answer […]
On The Frontlines: Eric Hausler – Part 6
This installment is particularly geared toward preachers, but may be of interest to all. Eric talks about preaching clearly to unchurched people, without losing the depth of Reformed doctrine. (Note: These are all stand alone videos, but if you’ve missed the earlier installments you can find them here: Hausler Series) Questions for Thought or Discussion: […]
On The Frontlines: Eric Hausler – Part 5
We asked Eric about how to “fit” evangelism into a busy schedule. The context started with thinking about busy pastors and church planters, but the answer is fully applicable to anybody with a busy schedule that wants to think and act evangelistically. (Note: These are all stand alone videos, but if you’ve missed the earlier […]
On The Frontlines: Eric Hausler – Part 4
Eric Hausler continues talking about how God has shaped him to engage people for the sake of the gospel, and how to develop that mentality in a church culture. In this video, Eric shares an influential opportunity in his life that propelled his desire to reach the lost. He also talks about numerous ways for […]
Podcast Ep. #9: Jeremy Baker
What do you know about Yuma, AZ? How about the OPC church there? And what about how they are doing outreach? This episode we talk to Jeremy Baker to discuss just these kinds of things. You’ll learn more about the church, and there is an extended conversation about a book Jeremy used to help the […]
Stories From the Field: Winston-Salem, NC
We recently checked in with Calvin Keller, the church planter at Harvest OPC in Winston-Salem, NC. Calvin just recently moved to Winston-Salem to take the call and has been on the ground for about 6 months. Upon moving to NC, Calvin and his wife had to temporarily live in an apartment complex and as Calvin […]
On The Frontlines: Eric Hausler – Part 3
Eric Hausler continues with some stories of how God has blessed an attempt to be intentional in how we meet and interact with people. One is a fun story that ends up with a noteworthy ending in the pursuit of getting to know people. (These are all stand alone videos, but if you’ve missed the […]
On The Frontlines: Eric Hausler – Part 2
Here is Part 2 with Eric Hausler. If you missed last week’s email or are new to Outward OPC, here is Part 1. Having laid the foundation for an evangelistic culture in the church in Part 1, Eric now tells some stories of how that has worked out with specific people in Naples. Questions for […]
On The Frontlines: Eric Hausler – Part 1
We sat down with Eric Hausler, pastor of Christ the King OPC in Naples, FL to talk about a wide range of topics related to outreach and evangelism. From how to develop relationships to how to serve and love people with a view to displaying and speaking the gospel into their lives. We are excited […]
Podcast Ep. #8: Chris Cashen
There is an OPC work in Clarkston, GA that looks like a foreign mission field. In a small town outside Atlanta that has become a refuge for refugees, OPC Evangelist Chris Cashen is called to minister to these strangers in a new land. Hear directly from Chris in this week’s podcast as he talks about […]
Helping Our Churches Be Appealing, Not Appalling
After 35 years as pastor of Franklin Square OPC, Bill Shishko is now leading a new church plant on Long Island (website: The Haven). In this new work, Bill is giving a lot of thought and effort to how this new church might reach people–unchurched or those with only a passing familiarity with the church. […]
When You Are at the Front Door & God Uses the Side
Have you caught an update in Home Missions Today or on Facebook about what’s happening at Grace Fellowship OPC in Huron, Ohio with church planter Larry Oldaker? After an extended season of discouragement, God is bringing another congregation in the area to join and be a part of Grace Fellowship. They have 21 people in […]
Rosaria Butterfield on Community & The Lord’s Day
We’ve featured Rosaria Butterfield here before (and will again), and John Shaw has talked about her book “The Gospel Comes With a House Key” on a podcast. Below is an article that is a short excerpt from part of that book. It is a thought-provoking and heart-stirring approach to living in community on the Lord’s […]
An OPC RHM (Home Missionary) Hits the Road To Grow & Learn
Recently, Mark Sumpter (RHM – Presbytery of the Southwest) shared a story with us about an opportunity he had to learn about church planting from outside of OPC circles. Mark has a friend from Houston who is taking a church planting class at RTS Jackson. Mark was invited to tag along to a full day […]
Podcast Ep. #7: Bradney Lopez (Puerto Rico)
Bradney Lopez is the OPC church planter in Puerto Rico. On the podcast he discusses life in Puerto Rico, the spiritual culture of the people, and what it is like church planting in his own home town. Enjoy! ———————————————————————————————- Tools & Help with Podcasts Podcasts are basically just audio files. You will always be able […]
Who Will Attend Your Church This Sunday?
82% of unchurched people said they were “somewhat likely” to attend church if they were invited. 21% of active churchgoers have invited anyone to church in the course of a year. (And the number that invite an unchurched person is more like 2%!) Evangelistic Accelerant: This Sunday is arguably the day that an unchurched person […]
A Welcoming Congregation – Part 3 (by Shane Lems)
Shane (Covenant OPC, Hammond, WI) has taken us on a thorough journey of how to be a welcoming church, including the role of the pastor and the congregation (Series Posts). We are thankful for his work and thoughts from someone who is on the field trying to implement these things! This week he closes with […]
A Welcoming Congregation – Part 2 (Practical Action)
Last week, OPC Pastor Shane Lems gave us some great illustrations of how to think about welcoming visitors to our church (Part 1). Now, it’s time to take action. Shane gives 10 practical ways church members can welcome visitors. Maybe you could discuss these as a family, or an outreach committee could use them to […]