Let's Witness During the Invitation
(Chapter 8 from Dr. Hyle's excellent book, Let's Build An Evangelistic Church)
Much has been said pro and con about witnessing during an invitation. By this we mean going to someone in the service who has not come forward and encouraging him to step out and receive Christ as Saviour. Much harm can be done here, however. As is always the case when much harm can be done, much good can be done also. If done properly, it can be a blessing in a church service. Many of the greatest soul-winning churches in America have people trained to speak a word of encouragement to the unsaved who do not come forward on their own volition during the invitation. Let us look at a few suggestions concerning this important phase of the invitation and of soul winning.
If you know someone who is lost, sit with that person or near him during the service. To be sure there will be times when God will lead you to walk across the auditorium or even from the choir to deal with an unsaved person. This will be the exception, however, rather than the rule. It is always best to sit near the person so as to be able to talk to him with as little embarrassment as possible. Much harm has been done by unwise witnessing because of improper planning and preparation.
Be sure that your body is clean. Close contact is necessary in this kind of witnessing. Hence, we should avoid odors such as body and breath.
It is usually best to wait until heads are bowed. Most pastors sometime in an invitation will ask the people to bow their heads and close their eyes. This is the best time to do personal work. The people will not see you coming to them. You will not interrupt the service and it will not be embarrassing for them when you come. Pastors should remember to give their people an opportunity by asking for bowed heads sometime during the invitation. This will encourage Christians to do soul winning in the invitation time. Usually when people are not looking, a convert is much more receptive, less embarrassed and much more likely to make a decision for Christ. If he does not make his decision, at least he will be more likely to come back again to visit if he knows he has not been publicly embarrassed.
Do not ramble around promiscuously. Much danger is done by over-zealous people who tend to embarrass the church members by asking them if they are saved. Just because you do not know someone does not mean they are lost. Of course, in rare cases the Spirit of God may lead one to a complete stranger. If the Lord leads, follow. Much care, however, should be taken in this matter. I have known people to just walk up and down the aisles asking everyone who looked a little bit solemn if they were saved. This is usually not a good procedure.
Come to him from the rear. If a person is sitting on the left side of the building, it would be wise for the soul winner to go up the aisle on the right side until he is at the back of the auditorium. Then approach the person from the rear. This will give him an element of surprise and prevent him from becoming offended before you talk to him.
Introduce yourself graciously. Words such as, "How do you do; my name is Smith. We're so happy to have you in the service today and I trust that you have received a blessing....What is your name, please, sir?...Well, I'm so glad to know you, Mr. Jones, and I was wondering if you know you are a Christian." If the answer is "No" to this, then of course the green light is on.
Ask him if he would like to be a Christian. Such words as this would be in order. "Mr. Jones, the greatest thing in the world is to know that if you died you would go to Heaven. Wouldn't you like to have that peace today?"
If he says he would, suggest he come to the altar with you and tell the pastor. Words such as this could be used. "Mr. Jones, I'm so glad that you want to be a Christian. If you would receive Christ as your Saviour today, come with me to the altar and let the pastor rejoice in your decision."
Sometimes he will not come. In that case you may simply say, "Mr. Jones, could I have a prayer with you here at your seat that you will receive Christ as your Saviour?" If this is permissible, have a brief prayer such as mentioned in the previous chapter concerning dealing with people at the altar. You may pray thusly, "Dear Lord, we're glad that Mr. Jones has come today. We're glad to have him. We pray that You will bless his heart in the service and grant that he will be saved today. May this service be the greatest service in his life and may he receive Jesus as Saviour today."
Close the prayer abruptly. Ask him if he would pray. A prayer such as, "Now, Mr. Jones, while our heads are bowed, our eyes are closed, would you be willing now to ask God to have mercy on you and make you His child today? Go ahead and say, 'Lord, be merciful to me a sinner...forgive my sins...and save me this morning...I do now receive Jesus as my Saviour...and trust Him to take me to Heaven when I die...."
Ask him to take your hand if he is receiving Christ. The conversation would go something like this: "Mr. Jones, while our heads are bowed and our eyes are closed, I'm so happy that you have come to Christ today. If you meant your prayer and would make this the day of your trusting Jesus, as a token of it, would you please take my hand?"
After he takes your hand, you pray again. In your prayer thank the Lord that Mr. Jones has been saved and pray for God's blessings upon him; make this prayer very brief.
Now ask him if he will go to the altar with you and tell the preacher that he has trusted Jesus. Words like this could be used: "Now, Mr. Jones, let's go to the altar and tell the preacher that you've trusted Jesus." Then look at Mrs. Jones or a child or a friend and ask one of them if they will come with him to the altar. Of course they will, whereupon you can take Mr. Jones to the altar, introduce him to the pastor, explain to him that Mr. Jones has been saved in the service, and he can rejoice with you over Mr. Jones' decision.
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